Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. It is a nonmetal and the lightest member of group 15 of the periodic table, often called the pnictogens. Nitrogen was recognized first as an element by Lavoisier, who named it “azote”, meaning “without life.” The element was named nitrogen in 1790 by Chaptal. The name derived from the Greek name ‘nitre’ for potassium nitrate which contains nitrogen.

• Industry: Nitrogen is used in various industries and products, such as fertilizers, explosives, food preservation, and medicine. It can also act as an inert atmosphere, a preventive of oxidation, a diluent of reactive gases, a carrier of heat or chemicals, and an inhibitor of fire or explosions.
• Agriculture: Nitrogen is essential for life on Earth, as it is involved in protein formation, DNA replication, and cell membrane construction.
• Manufacturing Various Compounds: Nitrogen is used to produce many electrical parts such as transistors, diodes and integrated circuits. When dried and pressurized, nitrogen gas is used as a dielectric gas for high voltage equipment.
• Other Uses: Nitrogen is used to manufacture stainless steel. Used to reduce the fire hazard in military aircraft fuel systems.