NITROGEN

(Yunanca köken — orijinale bakınız.) A simple gaseous boey which forms a constituent part of nitric acid, and which, being unrespirable, has also been termed azote: from «, privative, and {tan, life. It was Identified as a peculiar lias by Dr. Rutherford in 1774. and shown to be one of the components of atmospheric air by Lavoisier in 1774. It is generaHjr obtained by burning a piece of phosphorus in a jar full of air Inverted over water. The phosphorus daring its combustion combines with the oxygen of the air to form phosphoric acid, which,- di olved by the water,.and the remaining element of the air, namely, the nitrogen, remains. Nitrogen is a colourle , inodorous, and MS, not absorbed by water, and having no action on vegetable colours. It extinguishes all burning bodies, anil is itself uninflammable. It is a little lighter than atmospheric air, 100 cubic inches weighing 30*16 mains. Its equivalent is 14, and it combines with oxygen in 5 proportions, giving rise to the following compounds: By rolume. Bi Symbob. N. (i. S. II 1. Nitrous oxide 100 + 50 =14+ 8 = 22=n + o. % Nitrous oxide KI0 + 100= 14-f- 16=30=?i + 2o. W. Ilvponitrous acid 100+150=14 + 24 = 38 4. Nitrous acid 100+200= 14 + 32=46=n4-4s. 5. Nitric acid 100 + 250 = 14 + 40 = 54 = n -f 5 o. [s. 845]