See Also: Chemical Elements
Gaseous (see States Of Matter) Element, discovered by Daniel Rutherford in 1772. Nitrogen is a Colorless, odorless, tasteless, diatomic gas that is relatively inactive
chemically; it occupies about 78% (by volume) of dry air. Its chief importance lies in
its Compounds, which include nitrous oxide (see Oxidation and Reduction), nitric acid, Ammonia, many Explosives, cyanides, fertilizers, and proteins. Nitrogen is present in the protoplasm
of all living matter; it and its compounds are necessary for the continuation
of life (the Nitrogen Cycle).