Nitrogen: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The name 'nitrogen' comes from the Greek word 'nitron' and the Latin 'gen', meaning 'to form' or 'to create'.
• It was first discovered as a separate element in 1772 by the Scottish doctor Daniel Rutherford.
• Before its discovery, it was known as 'nitrous air' due to its connection with nitrous oxide.

Science

• Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere, making it the most abundant gas.
• It's essential in the formation of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.
• The nitrogen cycle is crucial for life, involving processes like nitrogen fixation, where certain bacteria convert nitrogen gas into a form plants can use.

Agriculture

• Farmers use nitrogen fertilizers to help crops grow, as it boosts leaf growth and overall plant health.
• Legumes, like beans and peas, have a special ability to fix nitrogen from the air through relationships with certain bacteria in their roots.
• Too much nitrogen can lead to environmental issues, including water pollution and loss of biodiversity.

Industry

• Nitrogen is used in the production of ammonia, which is a key ingredient in many fertilizers.
• It's also used in the food industry to keep packaged foods fresh by preventing spoilage and oxidation.
• In the tech industry, nitrogen is used as an inert gas during the manufacturing of semiconductors.

Pop Culture

• In popular films, nitrogen is sometimes depicted in the context of propellant for rockets or as a simple yet important aspect of science fiction worlds.
• Many educational programs encourage children to learn about nitrogen as part of their science curriculum, often featuring it in experiments like creating 'clouds' in bottles.
• The phrase 'nitrogen narcosis' is known in diving circles, referring to a condition that can occur at depth due to nitrogen absorption.

At position #2,767, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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