What is the chemical formula of nitrogen gas?

The nitrogen gas formula is one of the simplest and most commonly known formulas in chemistry. Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N, and it makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. However, when nitrogen exists in its gaseous form, it does so as a diatomic molecule, meaning two nitrogen atoms are chemically bonded together.

The nitrogen gas formula is written as N₂. This indicates that each molecule of nitrogen gas consists of two nitrogen atoms sharing a covalent bond. The diatomic nature of nitrogen gas is significant because nitrogen rarely exists as individual atoms in the atmosphere, instead forming this stable diatomic molecule.

Why Nitrogen Gas Exists as N₂

The nitrogen gas formula is N₂ due to the strong triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms. This bond is one of the strongest in chemistry, making nitrogen gas relatively inert and not reactive under normal conditions. This inertness is one of the reasons nitrogen gas is used in various applications like preserving food or in industrial processes requiring an inert atmosphere.