Is Nitrogen a Metal or Nonmetal? (+3 Things You Should Know)

Nitrogen is a nonmetal. It is a chemical element that has properties that are typically associated with nonmetals, such as being a poor conductor of heat and electricity, having a low melting and boiling point, and participating in covalent bonding with other nonmetals. ¹

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is nitrogen a nonmetal?

Nitrogen is a nonmetal because it lacks many of the physical and chemical properties that are associated with metals. Nonmetals are elements that generally have low melting and boiling points, are poor conductors of heat and electricity, and tend to form covalent bonds with other elements. ²

Nitrogen is a diatomic molecule, meaning that it is made up of two atoms of nitrogen that are covalently bonded together.

Nitrogen is a gas at room temperature and is relatively unreactive, which is another characteristic of nonmetals. ³

While some metals are gases at room temperature, they tend to be highly reactive and have much higher melting and boiling points than nitrogen.

In addition, nitrogen is located in the upper-right corner of the periodic table, which is where most nonmetals are located. ⁴

Elements in this region of the periodic table tend to have high electronegativity, meaning they have a strong attraction for electrons. ⁵

This makes them more likely to form covalent bonds, rather than the metallic bonds that are typically formed by metals.

Overall, the combination of nitrogen’s physical properties, chemical behavior, and its location on the periodic table all support its classification as a nonmetal.

Properties of nitrogen that classify it as a nonmetal

Here are some specific properties of nitrogen that classify it as a nonmetal:

• Lack of metallic luster: Nitrogen does not have the characteristic metallic luster that is commonly associated with metals. Instead, it appears as a colorless gas, which is typical of many nonmetals. ⁶
• Insolubility in water: Nitrogen is largely insoluble in water, which is another characteristic commonly seen in nonmetals. ^{7 8}
• Non-malleable and non-ductile: Nitrogen is not malleable or ductile, meaning it cannot be easily shaped into different forms. Metals, on the other hand, are generally malleable and ductile.
• Low density: Nitrogen has a relatively low density, which is a characteristic often associated with nonmetals. Metals, in contrast, tend to have higher densities.
• Low thermal and electrical conductivity: Nitrogen is a poor conductor of both heat and electricity, which is another characteristic of nonmetals. Metals are typically good conductors of both. ⁹

How is nitrogen different from other nonmetals?

While nitrogen shares many characteristics with other nonmetals, there are some ways in which it differs:

• Abundance in the atmosphere: Nitrogen is unique among nonmetals in that it makes up the majority of the Earth’s atmosphere, comprising about 78% of the air we breathe. ^{10 11} This abundance is due to the strong triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms in the diatomic nitrogen molecule (N2).
• Importance in organic compounds: Nitrogen is an important component of organic compounds, including proteins and nucleic acids. While other nonmetals, such as carbon and oxygen, also play important roles in organic chemistry, nitrogen’s role is particularly significant.
• Role in fertilizers: Nitrogen is a critical element in fertilizers, which are used to improve crop yields and support plant growth. This is largely due to the ability of nitrogen to form strong covalent bonds with other elements, such as hydrogen and oxygen, which are essential for plant growth. ^{12 13}
• Formation of oxides: While many nonmetals can form oxides, nitrogen’s oxides (such as nitrogen dioxide and nitrous oxide) have unique properties and applications. For example, nitrogen oxides are a major contributor to air pollution, but they are also important in the production of fertilizers and in certain industrial processes.

Overall, while nitrogen shares many characteristics with other nonmetals, its abundance in the atmosphere, importance in organic chemistry and role in fertilizers, and unique oxides set it apart from other elements in this group.

Further reading

Is Oxygen a Metal?
Is Magnesium a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Fluorine a Metal?
Is Fluorine a Gas?
Is Germanium a Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid? 

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