Group 15, the nitrogen group

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Group 15, the Nitrogen Group

Slide 2

Group 15—The Nitrogen Group

Nitrogen and phosphorus are required by living things and are used to manufacture various items.

Representative Elements

These elements also are parts of the biological materials that store genetic information and energy in living organisms.

Slide 3

Group 15—The Nitrogen Group

Although almost 80 percent of the air you breathe is nitrogen, you can’t get the nitrogen your body needs by breathing nitrogen gas.

Representative Elements

Bacteria in the soil must first change nitrogen gas into substances that can be absorbed through the roots of plants.

Then, by eating some plants, nitrogen becomes available to your body.

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Group 15—The Nitrogen Group

Ammonia is a gas that contains nitrogen and hydrogen.

Representative Elements

When ammonia is dissolved in water, it can be used as a cleaner and disinfectant.

Ammonia also can be converted into solid fertilizers.

It also is used to freeze-dry food and as a refrigerant.

Slide 5

Group 15—The Nitrogen Group

The element phosphorus comes in two forms—white and red.

Representative Elements

White phosphorus is so active it can’t be exposed to oxygen in the air or it will burst into flames.

The heads of matches contain the less active red phosphorus, which ignites from the heat produced by friction when the match is struck.

Slide 6

Group 15—The Nitrogen Group

Phosphorous compounds are essential ingredients for healthy teeth and bones.

Representative Elements

Plants also need phosphorus, so it is one of the nutrients in most fertilizers.