Nitrogen is classified as a nonmetal. It is found in Group 15 of the periodic table and is a key component of the Earth’s atmosphere, making up about 78% of it by volume.
The nonmetallic nature of nitrogen is evident in its physical properties. At room temperature, nitrogen exists as a colorless, odorless gas. Unlike metals, which are typically good conductors of heat and electricity, nitrogen does not exhibit these properties. Additionally, nonmetals, including nitrogen, tend to have lower melting and boiling points compared to metals.
In terms of chemical properties, nitrogen is known for its ability to form covalent bonds with other elements instead of forming metallic bonds, which is characteristic of metals. It readily combines with other nonmetals and can even form diatomic molecules, such as nitrogen gas (N2), which is stable and inert under standard conditions.
To summarize, nitrogen is a nonmetal due to its physical and chemical properties, distinguishing it from metals and metalloids in the periodic table.