Is Nitrogen a Metal, Nonmetal, or Something Else?
Nitrogen is a nonmetal, both by classification and by its chemical behavior. Located in Group 15 (the nitrogen group or “pnictogens”) of the periodic table, nitrogen exhibits classic nonmetallic properties: high electronegativity, poor electrical conductivity, and a tendency to gain electrons during chemical reactions.
Despite being commonly encountered as an inert gas (N₂), nitrogen forms a wide array of compounds essential to life, technology, and the environment. Its behavior—forming covalent bonds, existing as a diatomic molecule, and lacking luster or malleability—clearly distinguishes it from metals or even semimetals.
Dive Deeper
- Where Is Nitrogen on the Periodic Table?
- What Makes an Element a Nonmetal?
- Nitrogen’s Physical and Chemical Properties
- How Does Nitrogen Compare to Metals and Metalloids?
- 🎯 Final Thoughts
- 📚 References
Where Is Nitrogen on the Periodic Table?
Nitrogen has the atomic number 7 and is located in:
- Period: 2
- Group: 15 (formerly Group VA)
- Block: p-block
This group also includes phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi). Nitrogen sits at the top of the group, where its nonmetallic character is strongest. As we move down the group, elements transition from nonmetals to metalloids and finally to metals, but nitrogen is definitively a nonmetal.
| Element | Type | Metallic Character |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen (N) | Nonmetal | Low |
| Phosphorus (P) | Nonmetal | Slightly higher |
| Arsenic (As) | Metalloid | Intermediate |
| Antimony (Sb) | Metalloid | Increasing |
| Bismuth (Bi) | Metal | High |
What Makes an Element a Nonmetal?
Nonmetals are a class of elements that lack the physical and chemical properties of metals. They are typically poor conductors of heat and electricity, have high ionization energies, and tend to form anions (negatively charged ions) in ionic compounds or share electrons in covalent bonds.
Typical properties of nonmetals:
- Brittle (when solid)
- Low melting and boiling points (with exceptions like carbon)
- High electronegativity
- Poor conductivity
- Exist in various states: solids (e.g., sulfur), liquids (e.g., bromine), and gases (e.g., nitrogen)
Nitrogen, a diatomic gas (N₂) at room temperature, fits these traits precisely.
Nitrogen’s Physical and Chemical Properties
Chemically, nitrogen is known for its versatile oxidation states (from –3 in ammonia to +5 in nitric acid) and ability to form strong triple bonds in its molecular form (N≡N), which is extremely stable and inert under standard conditions.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 7 |
| Atomic Mass | 14.007 u |
| Electronegativity | 3.04 (Pauling scale) |
| Ionization Energy | 1402 kJ/mol (first) |
| State at Room Temperature | Gas |
| Bonding | Covalent (usually) |
| Typical Ions Formed | –3 (e.g., NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻) |
📊 Key stat: Nitrogen has one of the highest electronegativities among all elements—ranked 3rd behind fluorine and oxygen [1].
How Does Nitrogen Compare to Metals and Metalloids?
Unlike metals, which tend to lose electrons and form cations, nitrogen gains or shares electrons. It does not exhibit properties like:
- Electrical conductivity
- Malleability or ductility
- Metallic luster
- Basic oxide formation (its oxides are acidic)
In contrast, metalloids (like arsenic and antimony) have intermediate behaviors. While they might conduct electricity under certain conditions or form amphoteric oxides, nitrogen shows none of these traits.
| Feature | Metals | Metalloids | Nitrogen (Nonmetal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductivity | High | Variable | None |
| Malleability | Yes | Limited | None |
| Typical Oxides | Basic | Amphoteric | Acidic |
| Electron Behavior | Loses electrons | Mixed | Gains or shares |
| Physical Form | Solid | Solid | Gas (at STP) |
🧪 Chemical context: Nitrogen rarely forms metallic bonds. Its compounds are primarily covalent, reinforcing its identity as a true nonmetal.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Nitrogen is unquestionably a nonmetal—both in classification and in behavior. Its place in the periodic table, high electronegativity, gaseous form, and preference for covalent bonding all align with nonmetallic traits. While its cousins further down Group 15 gradually shift toward metalloid and metallic characteristics, nitrogen remains firmly on the nonmetal side.
Its nonmetallic nature is also the key to its diverse chemical roles—from forming the backbone of DNA and proteins to enabling explosives, fertilizers, and atmospheric chemistry. Understanding where nitrogen fits helps illuminate both its reactivity and its stability—especially that iconic N≡N bond, which resists reaction yet underpins nearly all life when broken and transformed.
📚 References
- Pauling, L. (1960). The Nature of the Chemical Bond. Cornell University Press.
- Housecroft, C. E., & Sharpe, A. G. (2018). Inorganic Chemistry (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
- Atkins, P., & Jones, L. (2015). Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight (6th ed.). Freeman & Co.
- International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). (2022). Periodic Table of the Elements. https://iupac.org