A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

155

The Nitrogen Group

between nitrogen atoms detach very quickly.

Nitrogen fuels, such as nitromethane, are used

in drag bikes, providing a lot more power than

carbon-and-hydrogen only fuels, such as petrol.

The compound hydrazine is used in thrusters on

spacecraft, such as the Phoenix Mars Lander.

Some nitrogen compounds are put in dyes and

glues. An industrial technique called the Haber

process turns nitrogen and hydrogen gas into

ammonia, a liquid commonly used to make

nitrogen fertilizers. When mixed with soil,

these fertilizers boost plant growth.

These nitrogen-based azo dyes

are often used to colour textiles.

TNT

Drag bike

Trinitrotoluene (TNT)

does not explode below

240°C (464°F).

Motorcycles use

nitromethane to fuel

their powerful engines.

This lander used

12 hydrazine-powered

thrusters to land on Mars.

Phoenix Mars Lander

Textile dye

Nitrogen fertilizer

Super glue

Superstrong glues contain small

nitrogen compounds that link together.

These fertilizers contain compounds called

ammonium nitrates that promote growth in plants.

Nitroglycerine spray

Nitroglycerine

can be used

to treat heart

conditions.

Uses

Nitrogen is essential for life. The nitrogen cycle is a process

that constantly recycles nitrogen between Earth’s atmopshere

and all living things.

1. Lightning turns nitrogen

in the air into nitrogen

compounds, which dissolve

in rainwater and fall

to the ground.

3. Animals take in

nitrogen compounds

when they eat, and

release it in their dung.

NITROGEN CYCLE

2. Bacteria in the soil

and plant roots produce

nitrogen compounds

from pure nitrogen

in the air.

4. Fungi, such as

mushrooms, break

down dead plants and

animals, which release

their nitrogen compounds

back into the soil.

5. Bacteria break apart

nitrogen compounds in

the soil, returning pure

nitrogen into the air.

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