Nitrogen Family Elements

There are five elements that belong to the Group 15 ( VA ) of the Mendeleev
Periodic Table. They are as follows: nitrogen , phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and
bismuth. Nitrogen and phosphorus are typical nonmetals, arsenic and antimony are
metalloids, and bismuth is a typical metal. Nitrogen is a gas and the others are
solids that can exist in allotropic forms. All the elements have moderate activity,
but the white phosphorus ( an allotropic form ) is an exception. The valency of all
the elements is either III or V. Nitrogen can form compounds where its valency
can change from I to V. When combined with metals and hydrogen, their valency
is III, e.g., Mg3N2, NH3. They form the following anions when the compounds are
dissolved in water: NO-3, PO3-4. Nitrogen can also form an ammonium cation NH +4,
and the elements that have metallic properties can form cations, e.g., As 3+. Oxides
of nonmetals have acidic properties, and metals form hydroxides, E(OH)3.

Occurrence and uses of nitrogen and phosphorus

Nitrogen in the form of gaseous molecular nitrogen, ( N 2 ), is the major component
of the earth’s atmosphere, ( 78 % by volume ). The most important minerals that
contain nitrogen are known as saltpetre ( nitrates ). They are as follows: Chile
nitrate ( NaNO3 ), saltpetre ( KNO3 ) and Norwegian saltpetre [ Ca(NO 3)2]. Nitrogen
is also present in proteins both of plant and animal origin.
Phosphorus does not exist free in nature. It is one of the five nonmetals that
are solid rather than gaseous at room temperature. Pure phosphorus is known in
two common forms that are quite different from each other in their properties. Red
phosphorus, a dark red powder with a melting point ( mp ) of 597 oC , remains
relatively unchanged in the air, is not toxic, and can be handled with reasonable
safety. White phosphorus is a waxy, low-melting solid with a mp of 44 oC, ignites
spontaneously in air, causes serious burns when it comes into contact with the skin
and is extremely toxic.. White phosphorus is usually stored under water. The most
important phosphorus containing minerals are phosphates and apatites that contain
calcium phosphate [Ca3(PO4)2] as a main constituent.
Phosphorus is used for producing matches, explosives, fireworks and fertilizers..

Ammonia, NH3, is one of the most important nitrogen compounds. It is produced

in the following way:
3 H2 + N2 → 2 NH3

It is used for producing nitric ( V ) acid, HNO3, and fertilizers.

Ammonia and ammonium salts

Nitrogen hydride, NH3, commonly known as ammonia is under normal conditions a
colourless gas with a characteristic strong odour. It can be toxic in high
concentration. It is very well soluble in water, at the room temperature in 1 dm 3 of
water as many as 700 dm3 of ammonia can be dissolved; and at 0 oC as many as
1 200 dm3.
 2

In laboratory it can be produced in the following way:

( NH4 )2SO4 + 2 NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2 NH3↑ + 2 H2O

Ammonium salts are very easily soluble in water and they can be also very
decomposed by heating:
60oC
( NH4 )2CO3 → 2 NH3↑ + CO2 ↑ + H2O
60oC
NH4HCO3 → NH3↑ + CO2 ↑ + H2O

Some part of ammonia ( about 1% ) can also react with water:

NH3 + H2O → NH+4 + OH-

This product has basic properties.

Nitric acid
Nitric acid is a colourless liquid, but the bottle is left open dark brown fumes can
be observed ( NO2 ). It is caustic, affects the skin leaving yellow spots. Nitric acid
dissolves all metals apart from platinum and gold. But it can be transported in
containers made from aluminum due to the fact of passivation. A very thin layer
of aluminum oxide is formed and protects the walls from the attack of the acid.
Nitric ( V ) acid is mainly used for producing fertilizers.

Fertilizers
As it is known all the plants take the nutrients from the soil. The main nutrients
used by the plants are: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. To get good
crops the artificial nutrients must be supplied to the soil. They are called
fertilizers. There are many sorts of fertilizers that are produced nowadays. They
are as follows: ( NH4 )2SO4 , NH4NO3, KNO3, KCl, K2SO4, Ca(NO3)2, Ca(H2PO4)2.
Fertilizers should be used carefully, otherwise their overusing can lead to the
contamination of the environment.