Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere and is present in all organisms.
Core Principles & Analysis
Daniel Rutherford first isolated nitrogen in 1772 by removing oxygen and carbon dioxide from air, calling the unreactive remainder 'noxious air'.
Nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere, and the exceptionally strong triple bond in N2 makes the gas nearly inert; the liquid boils at -196 C.
The Haber-Bosch process converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia for the fertilizers that feed much of humanity, while liquid nitrogen preserves biological samples and food.