Basic Details
Word: Nitrogen
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A colourless, odourless gas that makes up a large part of the air we breathe and is essential for living things.
Synonyms: N/A
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Full of nitrogen: Describing something rich in nutrients, especially for plants. Example: "The compost is full of nitrogen, which helps our garden grow better."
- Catch nitrogen: To gather or save resources effectively. Example: "The farmer is trying to catch nitrogen in the soil to improve his crop yields."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Nitrogen is a crucial component of DNA, which means it plays an important role in the growth of all living organisms.
Example 2: The atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, making it the most abundant gas in the air.
Example 3: Farmers often use nitrogen fertilizers to enhance the growth of their plants and increase food production.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the name "nitrogen" comes from the Greek words 'nitron' (saltpeter) and 'genes' (forming)? This reflects its discovery related to nitrate compounds used in the past.
Famous Quote
"The law that entropy increases holds, I think, the supreme position among the laws of Nature." - Erwin Schrdinger. This relates to nitrogen as it emphasises the importance of different gases, including nitrogen, in the natural balance of our environment.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "nitrogen" mean?
a) A solid material
b) A colourless gas
c) A type of plant
d) A liquid mineral
Answer: b) A colourless gas
2. Which of these describes nitrogen?
a) It is found in large amounts in water.
b) It is a type of metal.
c) It is odourless and colourless.
d) It is bright and gaseous.
Answer: c) It is odourless and colourless.
3. Which sentence uses "nitrogen" correctly?
a) Nitrogen is used in making cookies.
b) Plants need nitrogen to grow well.
c) Nitrogen can be seen in the sky.
d) Nitrogen is a type of vegetable.
Answer: b) Plants need nitrogen to grow well.
4. Which idiom means rich in nutrients?
a) Catch nitrogen
b) Full of nitrogen
c) Out of nitrogen
d) Nitrogen in the atmosphere
Answer: b) Full of nitrogen
5. What is an important use of nitrogen?
a) As a beverage
b) In growing plants
c) To build houses
d) In cleaning products
Answer: b) In growing plants
