Nitrogen is a gas at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure. 1 Its boiling point is -195.79°C (-320.42°F) and its melting point is -209.86°C (-345.77°F). Therefore, nitrogen exists as a gas under normal conditions. However, it can be liquefied under high pressure and low temperature. 2 3
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Key Takeaways: Is Nitrogen a Solid, Liquid or Gas?
- Nitrogen exists as a gas at room temperature due to its low boiling point and high stability as a diatomic molecule.
- Nitrogen can exist in both liquid and solid states under certain conditions, with liquid nitrogen having many practical uses.
- Gaseous nitrogen, liquid nitrogen, and solid nitrogen are all forms of nitrogen but differ in their physical properties due to their states of matter.
- Handling liquid nitrogen or solid nitrogen can be dangerous due to their extremely low temperatures, and appropriate safety measures should be taken when working with them.
Why does nitrogen exist as a gas at room temperature?
Nitrogen exists as a gas at room temperature due to its relatively low boiling point and high stability as a diatomic molecule.
Nitrogen (N2) is composed of two nitrogen atoms that share a triple covalent bond. 4 This bond is very strong, and it requires a lot of energy to break it. Therefore, nitrogen gas is very stable and does not react easily with other elements or compounds.
The boiling point of nitrogen is around -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit), which is much lower than room temperature. As a result, nitrogen remains in a gaseous state at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure.
However, it is worth noting that liquid nitrogen can be obtained by cooling gaseous nitrogen to very low temperatures.
Overall, the stability of the N2 molecule and its low boiling point are the main reasons why nitrogen exists as a gas at room temperature.
Does nitrogen exist in liquid or solid state?
Yes, nitrogen can exist in both liquid and solid states under certain conditions.
Liquid nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that is formed when nitrogen gas is cooled to a temperature of -196°C (-321°F) at normal atmospheric pressure. 5 Liquid nitrogen has a number of practical uses, such as in cryogenics, food processing, and scientific research. 6
Solid nitrogen, on the other hand, is less common and requires even lower temperatures to form. At atmospheric pressure, nitrogen freezes into a solid at a temperature of around -210°C (-346°F). Solid nitrogen is a translucent, crystalline solid that is used in certain scientific experiments. 7 8
It’s important to note that handling liquid nitrogen or solid nitrogen can be dangerous due to their extremely low temperatures, and appropriate safety measures should be taken when working with them. 9
How is gaseous nitrogen different from solid nitrogen and liquid nitrogen?
Gaseous nitrogen, liquid nitrogen, and solid nitrogen are all forms of the same element, nitrogen (N2), but they differ in their physical properties due to their differing states of matter.
Gaseous nitrogen
Gaseous nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is composed of diatomic nitrogen molecules (N2) that move freely and independently in space.
It has a boiling point of -196°C (-321°F) and a melting point of -210°C (-346°F) at standard atmospheric pressure.
Liquid nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is formed when gaseous nitrogen is cooled to a temperature of -196°C (-321°F) at standard atmospheric pressure.
It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid with a density that is about 80% of water.
Liquid nitrogen has a very low boiling point and can be used for a variety of applications such as cryopreservation, food freezing, and medical treatments. 10 11
Solid nitrogen
Solid nitrogen is formed when nitrogen gas is cooled to an even lower temperature of -210°C (-346°F) at standard atmospheric pressure.
It is a translucent, crystalline solid with a hexagonal lattice structure. Solid nitrogen is relatively rare and has mainly been studied for its unique properties, such as its ability to act as an electrical insulator at low temperatures.
In summary, gaseous nitrogen is a gas composed of independent diatomic nitrogen molecules, while liquid nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid formed when gaseous nitrogen is cooled to a very low temperature. Solid nitrogen is a translucent, crystalline solid that is formed when nitrogen is cooled to an even lower temperature.
Further reading
Is Neon a Solid, Liquid or Gas?
Is Carbon a Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid?
Is Nitrogen a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Oxygen a Metal?
Is Magnesium a Metal or Nonmetal?
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References
- Office of Marketing and Communications, G. E. (n.d.). Nitrogen Liquid and Gas. Nitrogen Liquid and Gas | Physics Van | UIUC. https://van.physics.illinois.edu/ask/listing/27848
- Nitrogen – Wikipedia. (2019, January 27). Nitrogen – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen
- Who What Why: How dangerous is liquid nitrogen? (n.d.). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19870668
- Lewis Structure for N2 (Dinitrogen or Nitrogen Gas). (n.d.). Lewis Structure for N2 (Dinitrogen or Nitrogen Gas). https://terpconnect.umd.edu/~wbreslyn/chemistry/Lewis-Structures/lewis-structure-for-N2.html
- Liquid Nitrogen Safety : USDA ARS. (n.d.). Liquid Nitrogen Safety : USDA ARS. https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/docs/safety-health-and-environmental-training/liquid-nitrogen-safety/
- Jouhara, H., Chauhan, A., Guichet, V., Delpech, B., Abdelkareem, M. A., Olabi, A., & Trembley, J. (2023, February). Low-temperature heat transfer mediums for cryogenic applications. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 104709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2023.104709
- Solid nitrogen – Wikipedia. (2018, March 1). Solid Nitrogen – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_nitrogen
- Goncharov, A., & Gregoryanz, E. (2004, April 5). Solid Nitrogen at Extreme Conditions of High Pressure and Temperature (Book) | OSTI.GOV. Solid Nitrogen at Extreme Conditions of High Pressure and Temperature (Book) | OSTI.GOV. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/936471
- Liquid Nitrogen Handling | Environmental Health and Safety. (n.d.). Liquid Nitrogen Handling | Environmental Health and Safety. https://ehs.research.uiowa.edu/liquid-nitrogen-handling
- Cryopreservation – Wikipedia. (2012, June 1). Cryopreservation – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryopreservation
- Mirabet, V., Alvarez, M., Solves, P., Ocete, D., & Gimeno, C. (2012, April). Use of liquid nitrogen during storage in a cell and tissue bank: Contamination risk and effect on the detectability of potential viral contaminants. Cryobiology, 64(2), 121–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2011.12.005