714.007NNitrogen
Nitrogen (N) — element 7reactive nonmetal · group 15, period 2
Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. It is a reactive nonmetal in group 15, period 2 of the periodic table (the p-block), with a standard atomic mass of 14.007 u. At room temperature (25 °C) nitrogen is a gas.
💡 Known for: Makes up about 78% of the air we breathe and is a key ingredient of fertilisers, proteins and DNA.
# Nitrogen properties
| Symbol | N |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 7 |
| Atomic mass | 14.007 u |
| Category | reactive nonmetal |
| Group | 15 |
| Period | 2 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [He] 2s² 2p³ |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p³ |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 5 |
| Protons / electrons | 7 / 7 |
| State at 25 °C | gas |
| Melting point | 63.15 K (-210 °C, -346 °F) |
| Boiling point | 77.36 K (-195.8 °C, -320.4 °F) |
| Density | 1.251 g/L |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 3.04 |
| First ionization energy | 14.534 eV |
| Atomic radius | 56 pm |
| Discovered | 1772 |
# Electron configuration of nitrogen
The electron configuration of nitrogen is [He] 2s² 2p³, written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p³. Its 7 electrons fill 2 shells as 2, 5, so the outermost shell holds 5 electrons. As a group 15 element, nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
# Related elements
CCarbonprevious elementOOxygennext elementPPhosphorusgroup 15AsArsenicgroup 15SbAntimonygroup 15BiBismuthgroup 15McMoscoviumgroup 15HHydrogenreactive nonmetalSSulfurreactive nonmetalSeSeleniumreactive nonmetal
# Nitrogen FAQ
What is the atomic number of nitrogen?
The atomic number of nitrogen is 7: every nitrogen atom has 7 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is N.
What is the atomic mass of nitrogen?
The standard atomic mass of nitrogen is 14.007 u.
What is the electron configuration of nitrogen?
Nitrogen's electron configuration is [He] 2s² 2p³ (1s² 2s² 2p³), with 2, 5 electrons per shell.
Is nitrogen a metal?
No. Nitrogen is a reactive nonmetal, a nonmetal.
What is the melting point of nitrogen?
Nitrogen melts at 63.15 K (-210 °C, -346 °F) and boils at 77.36 K (-195.8 °C, -320.4 °F).
What is nitrogen used for / known for?
Makes up about 78% of the air we breathe and is a key ingredient of fertilisers, proteins and DNA.