Talk:Nitrogen

"uncombined element"
Hi, I feel that the the term 'uncombined element' would benefit from a sentence or two to explain & clarify - although I understand it (I studied Chemistry for two years as part of my degree) I'll leave it for someone more acquainted with this article to consider adding.

I know that atmospheric nitrogen occurs as a diatomic molecule, which is distinct from a compound, and 'elemental nitrogen' refers to N2. And I understand that 'uncombined element' is the correct term for N2 because, although it is a pair of nitrogen atoms combined into a molecule, it is a single atomic species and not therefore a compound. Prior to reading this article I wouldn't have thought of atmospheric nitrogen as an 'uncombined element' - I would have assumed only the noble gases were 'uncombined elements' - but I am happy that it is correct to describe diatomic nitrogen (and oxygen) this way.

I did a bit of searching around the term and see one source that stated that only the noble gases fitted the definition of 'uncombined elements' (as far as the atmosphere is concerned). Clearly that source was wrong - my concern is that a student learning chemistry might find ambiguity and be confused. Hence I think a sentence or two to clarify 'uncombined element' would be very beneficial. Something simple along the lines of 'although nitrogen in air exists as a two atoms combined into a diatomic molecule, it is classed as an uncombined element because the nitrogen molecule contains no other element/s except nitrogen.' Thanks in advance, Flusapochterasumesch (talk) 13:20, 7 June 2024 (UTC)


 * Chaned to "chemcial species", which includes all molecules. –LaundryPizza03 ( d c̄ ) 19:43, 7 June 2024 (UTC)