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What is atmospheric nitrogen?

Updated: 5/21/2024
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16y ago

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Certain plants (notably legumes - beans) and many bacteria act as nitrogen fixing agents, taking nitrogen from the air and producing nitrogen compounds by combining nitrogen with other elements. Nitrogen fixation can also occur as a result of lightning and some human activities, such as combustion.

Other than that, it stays in the atmosphere, and fixed nitrogen eventually returns to the atmosphere, as well, to begin the cycle again.

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15y ago
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1mo ago

Atmospheric nitrogen refers to the nitrogen gas (N2) that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. This nitrogen is inert and not readily available for use by most organisms unless it is converted into more biologically accessible forms through processes like nitrogen fixation.

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13y ago

Nitrogen acts as a diluent in the atmosphere. Pure oxygen would be too rich to breathe and make ignition and fires treacherous. Also nitrogen and oxygen react in the atmosphere when there is high energy with a bolt of lightning and thus when it rains there is a natural fertilizer.

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16y ago

Atmospheric nitrogen is the gas that makes up 78 percent of the air we breathe.

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9y ago

Nitrogen gas is largely inert and is used as a protective shield in the semiconductor industry and during certain types of welding and soldering operations.

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Q: What is atmospheric nitrogen?
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Does the nitrogen cycle have no atmospheric component?

No, the nitrogen cycle has an atmospheric component. Nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere is converted into compounds that can be used by living organisms through processes like nitrogen fixation and denitrification. This atmospheric nitrogen is essential for the functioning of the nitrogen cycle on Earth.


In the nitrogen cycle are there any abiotic conversions of atmospheric nitrogen to biologically active nitrogen such as nitrate or ammonia?

Yes, in the nitrogen cycle, atmospheric nitrogen is converted to biologically active forms through a process called nitrogen fixation. This can occur through abiotic processes, such as lightning or industrial methods, where atmospheric nitrogen is converted to ammonia or nitrate that can be used by plants.


How atmospheric nitrogen enters the soil?

Typically, atmospheric nitrogen gets into the soil by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that are symbiotic with such plants as clover, soybeans and alfalfa. Bacteria in the plant extract nitrogen from the air, and when the plants die, the nitrogen remains in the soil as the plant decays.


What are the differences between atmospheric nitrogen and laboratory nitrogen?

Atmospheric nitrogen is the nitrogen gas present in the Earth's atmosphere, primarily in the form of N2 molecules. Laboratory nitrogen typically refers to pure nitrogen gas produced in a lab setting. While both contain nitrogen gas, laboratory nitrogen is often purified and free of impurities, making it suitable for various scientific experiments and applications.


What converts organic nitrogen into atmospheric nitrogen?

Denitrifying bacteria play a key role in converting organic nitrogen compounds in the soil back into atmospheric nitrogen through a process called denitrification. This process helps to replenish the nitrogen cycle by releasing nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere.

Related questions

What is the need of fixing atmospheric nitrogen find out the various ways by which atmospheric nitrogen is fixed?

Why does atmospheric nitrogen need to be converted?


Does the nitrogen cycle have no atmospheric component?

No, the nitrogen cycle has an atmospheric component. Nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere is converted into compounds that can be used by living organisms through processes like nitrogen fixation and denitrification. This atmospheric nitrogen is essential for the functioning of the nitrogen cycle on Earth.


Is atmospheric nitrogen monatomic?

No, atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is a diatomic molecule, meaning it consists of two nitrogen atoms bonded together.


What is the chemical compound of atmospheric nitrogen gas?

The chemical compound of atmospheric nitrogen gas is N2, which means that it is composed of two nitrogen atoms bonded together.


Atmospheric air contains what percentage of nitrogen?

Atmospheric air contains approximately 78% nitrogen.


What is one way that atmospheric nitrogen enters the soil directly?

Atmospheric nitrogen can enter the soil directly through a process called nitrogen fixation, where specialized bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into forms that plants can use, such as ammonium or nitrate.


How does atmospheric nitrogen fixation affect organisms?

Atmospheric nitrogen fixation is the process where nitrogen is converted into ammonia. Without nitrogen, organisms couldn't grow, and organisms need nitrogen more than anything to grow.


What three processes that fix atmospheric nitrogen?

The three processes that fix atmospheric nitrogen are nitrogen fixation by bacteria, lightning-induced nitrogen fixation, and industrial nitrogen fixation through the Haber-Bosch process.


What are the two ways that atmospheric nitrogen gets into the ground?

Atmospheric nitrogen can enter the ground through nitrogen-fixing bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. It can also be deposited into the ground through rainfall as nitric acid or ammonium ions.


What fixes atmospheric Nitrogen?

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and lightning are the primary natural processes that fix atmospheric nitrogen, converting it into forms that plants can use. In addition, industrial processes like the Haber-Bosch process are used to produce nitrogen fertilizers for agriculture.


What captures the atmospheric nitrogen?

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria found in the roots of leguminous plants capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a form that can be used by plants. This process is called nitrogen fixation.


Is the most common atmospheric gas?

The most common atmospheric gas is nitrogen, which makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.