N vs N2

[Aya Watson 2B]

In the reaction of hot solid magnesium metal in a nitrogen atmosphere, how do we know that the nitrogen is N2 and not just N?

I am referring to the textbook problem H.7

[Ben Zhang 2H]

Since it is talking about a nitrogen atmosphere, I think it means that the nitrogen is just in the air. Nitrogen as a gas only appears as N2 and not N. So in this situation it would be N2. As long as it talks about nitrogen being a gas or in the atmosphere, it should be N2. The problem will probably specify when it is just N.

[Hannah Joo 2D]

I agree with the previous reply, but wanted to add something! There are i think seven? diatomic atoms and essentially, when we say one of them is existent in nature, they always appear as N2, or O2, of H2, etc.

[Milli Zunich 3I]

Nitrogen always exists as N2 in nature. Actually, it's rare for there to just be a stand-alone element not bonded to something. Elements like being bonded, it's kinda their whole thing.

[davis sandberg 2H]

Nitrogen gas is a diatomic molecule, meaning that it is most stable as N2 rather than N. Therefore, if nitrogen is in the atmosphere, you can assume that it will form N2.

[Jessica Li 1G]

When it says in a nitrogen atmosphere, this refers to Nitrogen in its natural state, which is N2. The problem will specify when they want you to use just N as an atom by itself.

[Cindy Vo 3E]

Nitrogen atmosphere refers to nitrogen gas, which is N2. Typically the context of the question will clue you in on whether to use N or N2.

[kylanjin]

Nitrogen is too unstable to exist by itself in nature, and so it pretty much always takes the N2 form.

[Kimberly_martinez2I]

Nitrogen is one of 7 diatomic molecules: H, O, F, Br, I, N, Cl. These molecules are more stable as H2, O2, F2, Br2, I2, N2, and Cl2.

[Amanda Tran 1D]

Nitrogen as a gas ( in this case, in the air) is usually in the form of N₂.

[905701360]

Nitrogen gas is diatomic, so it's more stable as N2 than just N.

[Jillian Sarquiz- 2B]

Since it says "in a nitrogen atmosphere" that means that the nitrogen is in a gas form, so it is N2. Also, nitrogen will most likely be found in N2.

[405532435]

This question specifies that it is nitrogen in the atmosphere, and you do not see just N in the atmosphere. It has to be N2 in the gaseous state.

[Hannah Thornton 1F]

Nitrogen appears as N2 in its natural state since its a diatomic molecule, so it needs to be written out like that.

[Harshitha_Pandian_3F]

A problem will specify when to use N but generally when talking about Nitrogen we are talking about it in the form it is generally found in which is gas. When nitrogen is in a gas form, it is always shown as N2. It is part of the seven diatomic molecules.

[Hope Galarneau 1A]

This question is asking about nitrogen when it is in the atmosphere, which means that nitrogen is going to be in the form of a gas. When nitrogen is in its gaseous form, it is going to be N2 and not N because it is a diatomic element.

[isabella garcia - 1G]

In this question, it specifies nitrogen in the atmosphere, meaning in the form of a gas, in which it is found as N2.

[505807269]

Nitrogen gas is a diatomic molecule, which means that it is more stable as N2 than as N. As a result, if nitrogen is present in the environment, it is reasonable to expect it to form N2.

[Sasha Gladkikh 2A]

A problem will specify when to use N but generally when talking about Nitrogen we are talking about it in the form it is generally found in which is gas. When nitrogen is in a gas form, it is always shown as N2. It is part of the seven diatomic molecules.

To add on,

The only elements which occur naturally as diatomic molecules are hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, plus all the halogens, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. These seven elements normally exist as the molecular species H₂, N₂,O₂, F₂, Cl₂, Br₂, and I₂ respectively rather than in the form of single atoms.

Here is a helpful mnemonic to remember the seven diatomic elements:

[Akshat Katoch 2K]

As stated above, if the question doesn’t explicitly state that nitrogen is just N it is safe to assume that Nitrogen will be N2, as Nitrogen in nature tends to be diatomic. Nitrogen alone is very unstable and elements prefer to be in a stable form such as N2, which is how Nitrogen is usually seen in the atmosphere.

[Ryan Lafferty 1L]

Since nitrogen exists as a diatomic element, you can assume it to be N2 unless otherwise stated.