2006-10-30 07:56:50 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
nitrogen appears in the air in the form of gas....that's a given but idk where it comes from exactly so i'm not gonna mislead you and give you the wrong answer
2006-10-30 07:59:27 · answer #1 · answered by nikkifever108 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
About 4 billion years ago when the earth was formed the atmosphere was composed mainly of Helium and Hydrogen. Then about 1 billion years ago this atmosphere gave way to volcanic outgases composed of carbon dioxide, water vapor and ammonia. The carbon dioxide was eventually absorbed into the oceans and as carbonate products. The ammonia was broken down by sunlight and oxygen producing organisms to produce the nitrogen gas we have today. Since under normal conditions nitrogen gas is not reactive with other elements we have an atmosphere which is virtually maintained at about 78% nitrogen gas in air. Just like the oceans for the most part it is not going anywhere except for nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil which produce the nitrates which are used by plants to produce amino acids and proteins, and when lightning converts some to acids that is wash down by rain. Because no humans were present at the time this occurred, just as the Big Bang theory is a theory of how the universe was formed, so is this also a theory of how our current atmosphere was formed.
2016-11-06 04:53:41 · answer #2 · answered by James 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with 'teacherfr'.
Indeed Nitrogen is in gas form (about 78% of our air we breath is Nitrogen).
It primarily comes from bacteria breaking down decaying plant matter.
Check out the 'Nitrogen Cycle'. Kinda heady though!
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.html
Get an "A".
2006-10-30 13:32:56 · answer #3 · answered by teachr 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
N2 and Nitrogen dioxide.
It is there....well mainly since the beginning of time. A very small part is added and reabsorbed by metabolizing lifeforms.
2006-10-30 08:01:41 · answer #4 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Gas - It is released by certain types of bacteria in the soil.
2006-10-30 07:59:28 · answer #5 · answered by teacherfriend 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe it is carbon monoxcide. and acid that is unable to be seen or smelt.
2006-10-30 08:17:52 · answer #6 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋