Properties and Uses of Nitrogen and Phosphorus

We are all familiar with the use of Nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen is widely used in the chemical industry for producing nylon, nitric acid, explosives, and fertilizers. Phosphorus is an essential element for the human body as our bones and teeth are made up of Phosphorus. Red Phosphorus is used in making fertilizers and safety matches. 

In this chapter, we will discuss the functioning, making, and properties of Nitrogen and Phosphorus. This chapter is important from an examination aspect. Last year around 5-7 questions has been asked from this chapter in IIT JEE Examination. So, go through complete notes to secure good marks in Chemistry Section.

Properties and uses of Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Nitrogen and Phosphorus belong to the common group 15 of the periodic table, which is also known as the Nitrogen group. Phosphorus occupies the second position in this group in the periodic table, so, both Nitrogen and Phosphorus have some common properties. They are from the non-metal class and have the same properties when making compounds. 

Both are found in ample quantities on the Earth and recycled in the surrounding through the Nitrogen and the Phosphorus cycle, and they are essential elements to human life and like plant growth. You might be surprised to know that both of these materials can be found in various foods that we consume. 

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is one of the essential elements of life. Our environment consists of 78% of Nitrogen. The pure form of Nitrogen can be found in mines, volcanoes, and mineral springs. Nitrogen has two stable isotopes, which are Nitrogen-14 and Nitrogen-15, and they account for 99.63% and 0.37% respectively. It also has 4 radioactive isotopes. The several different structures of Nitrogen are called Allotropes. N2 or Diatomic Nitrogen is one of the most common allotropes of Nitrogen.

Nitrogen is one of the major components in the air, it can be extracted or isolated from the air by fractional distillation. In this process, differing BP (Boiling Points) of the elements that create air can be used to detach them. The air gets liquified and slowly heated. Each element can turn to gas at different temperatures, which enables the separation. Nitrogen will evaporate before oxygen and other elements are present in the air, and the Nitrogen gas can be liquefied again.

Liquid Nitrogen is a form of Nitrogen that is cold enough to occur in the liquid state and is utilized for cryogenic and cooling applications. There are many uses of liquid Nitrogen like it is used transporting edibles and food items, cryotherapy to remove skin abnormalities, coolant in air conditioners, refrigerators, vacuum pumps, etc.

Uses of Nitrogen

• The manufacturing process of ammonia is used to produce nitric acid and used as a fertilizer.

• Nitric acid salts include major compounds like nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, and potassium nitrate. The compounds of Nitrated organic compounds such as nitroglycerine are often dangerous and explosive.

• Liquid Nitrogen is used as a refrigerant for transporting beverages, foodstuff, and freezing purposes. Cryopreservation of human bodies and reproductive cells, DNA & RNA, or other biological samples are stored in liquid Nitrogen.

• Nitrogen makes up 78% of the Earth‘s atmosphere and is a part of all living tissue. Nitrogen is one of the most important ingredients of life since it is a constituent of the genetic code and DNA

• Nitrogen molecules also exist in the Land/soil. Nitrogen is also present in nitrites and nitrates in soils and water.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is the element of group 15 of the periodic table with the atomic number 15. Phosphorus (P) is an important part of life as we know it. All biological molecules of the human body such as DNA, ADP, and ATP are made up of phosphates. Our bones and teeth are also made up of Phosphoric compounds. It is one of the essential parts of our daily life. Phosphorus is one of the reactive elements of the periodic table. The flammable property of this element makes it a perfect ingredient for matches. Phosphorus is also a vital element for plants that is why it is used as a fertilizer for the better growth of the plants.

Phosphorus is one of the multivalent non-metals belonging to the Nitrogen group. It exists in nature in various allotropic forms and is an important element for the life of living organisms.

The allotropes of Phosphorus are White Phosphorus, Black Phosphorus, and Red Phosphorus. 

Uses of Phosphorus

• Phosphorus is widely used in the fertilizers, fireworks, and baking powder industry 

• Phosphorus plays a vital role in the steel Industry

• Chinaware and special glasses are also made up of Phosphates

• Phosphates are material used in some detergents 

Conclusion

Reference to the above notes, it is clear that Nitrogen and Phosphorus are important topics of inorganic chemistry. Both elements have many applications and use in our day-to-day life. Here we also studied the various molecular structure, chemical reactions, and balance equations of this topic. We all are familiar with these two terms. 

This chapter consists of the theory part and the difficulty level of the questions are moderate. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the Earth‘s atmosphere and is a part of all living tissue. Nitrogen is one of the most important ingredients of life since it is a constituent of the genetic code and DNA