Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Nitrogen is a chemical element with symbol N and atomic number 7. It belongs to the group 15 elements in the periodic table and is known for its diatomic molecular form (Nโ) which makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere.
Related terms
Atomic number: The number of protons in an atom's nucleus, uniquely identifying each element.
Diatomic molecule: A molecule composed of two atoms bonded together, such as Nโ or Oโ.
Periodic table: A tabular arrangement of chemical elements based on their atomic numbers and recurring chemical properties.