A colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of the air we breathe. It is an important element for living things and is used in many industrial processes.
From French 'nitrogène', coined from 'nitre' (saltpeter) and Greek 'gennao' (to produce), meaning 'nitre-forming'. The name reflects its role in making nitrates and fertilizers.
Most of the air around you is nitrogen, not oxygen, even though your body can’t use nitrogen gas directly. Plants and special bacteria 'fix' nitrogen into forms that become part of your DNA and proteins—so you’re partly built from air.
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