Odorless, colorless gas comprising 78% of the
atmosphere. Generally unreactive at room
temperature. Extensive inorganic and organic chemistry. Used in
fertilizers, acids, explosives, plastics, dyes, etc. Recovered on an
industrial scale by the liquefaction of air.
Diagnostic tests:
As nitrates (NO4-), these detonate and pop when heated on charcoal.
As ammonium (NH4+), a solution of NaOH evolves ammonia gas when heated
which is detected by its sharp odor.
References
Emsley, J., 1991; THE ELEMENTS : Sec. Ed.,
Clarendon Press, Oxford, 251 p.
(* - Mineral Name Is Not IMA Approved)
(! - New Dana classification added or changed from Danas New Mineralogy)
(? - IMA Discredited Mineral Species Name)
There are 83 minerals with N in the Mineralogy Database.