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What the name means: It was probably the French chemist, Jean-Antoine Chaptal, who gave nitrogen its name in 1823. The name derives from the Latin word nitrogenium. This Latin word was compiled from two Greek words, nitrum (native soda) and genes (making).

Who identified nitrogen? During the late 18^th century there were quite a few famous chemists studying the properties of the air. The identification of nitrogen gas is attributed to Daniel Rutherford who, in 1772, isolated nitrogen gas from a sample of air. The French chemist, Antoine Lavoisier, did the same experiment and called the gas he extracted from the air azote. This is a Greek word meaning “lifeless”.

About nitrogen: Nitrogen gas is formed from molecules of nitrogen. Each molecule of nitrogen is made from two atoms of nitrogen chemically joined together. This makes nitrogen gas a diatomic gas. Nitrogen gas makes up about 79% of the air. The element nitrogen is found in many organic compounds (complex compounds found in living things). It is also part of chemicals called nitrates. Nitrogen gas and nitrates are important in the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle is essential for life on Earth. Manufactured fertilizers are mostly compounds containing nitrogen.