Nitrogen vs Oxygen
Side-by-side comparison of Nitrogen (N, element 7) and Oxygen (O, element 8) by atomic structure and physical properties.
| Property | N Nitrogen | O Oxygen |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 7 | 8 |
| Symbol | N | O |
| Name | Nitrogen | Oxygen |
| Category | nonmetal | nonmetal |
| Standard Atomic Weight | 14.006855 u | 15.9994 u |
| Period | 2 | 2 |
| Group | 15 | 16 |
| Block | p | p |
| Phase at STP | Gas | Gas |
| Electron configuration | [He]2s22p3 | [He]2s22p4 |
| Oxidation states | [-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] | [-2, -1, 0, 1, 2] |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 3.04 | 3.44 |
| Electron affinity | -0.07 eV | 1.4611 eV |
| Density | 1.2506 kg/m³ | 1.429 kg/m³ |
| Melting point | -210 °C | -218.79 °C |
| Boiling point | -195.79 °C | -182.95 °C |
| Discovery year | 1772 | 1771 |
Key Differences
| Property | N Nitrogen | O Oxygen |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Atomic Weight | 14.006855 u ↓ lower | 15.9994 u ↑ higher |
| Density | 1.2506 kg/m³ ↓ lower | 1.429 kg/m³ ↑ higher |
| Melting point | -210 °C ↑ higher | -218.79 °C ↓ lower |
| Boiling point | -195.79 °C ↓ lower | -182.95 °C ↑ higher |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 3.04 ↓ lower | 3.44 ↑ higher |
| Electron affinity | -0.07 eV ↓ lower | 1.4611 eV ↑ higher |
| Group | 15 | 16 |
| Electron configuration | [He]2s22p3 | [He]2s22p4 |
| Discovery year | 1772 | 1771 |