Definition

A colorless and odorless gas that makes up a large part of the air we breathe and is essential for life, found in many organic compounds and used in various industries.

Example

Nitrogen is a key component in fertilizers that help plants grow.

Conversation

Did you know that nitrogen makes up most of the air we breathe?

Yeah, I heard it’s about 78 percent of the atmosphere.

Exactly! It’s pretty fascinating how something so abundant is also colorless and odorless.

Right? It’s amazing how much we rely on nitrogen for things like fertilizers and even our own bodies.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nitrogen → It is formed from "nitro-" (from Greek "nitron", meaning saltpeter or sodium nitrate) and "-gen" (from Greek "genes", meaning producing or generating). The word refers to a substance that produces nitre or is a component of nitre, which is essential for life.

Memory Tip

Think of 'nitro-' as relating to a substance that produces saltpeter, and '-gen' meaning to generate. This helps you remember that nitrogen is a key element that generates essential compounds.

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