Short Answer:

Nitrogen forms useful compounds by sharing or combining electrons with other elements to achieve a stable electron configuration. Although nitrogen is chemically inert as N₂ gas, it reacts under certain conditions to produce compounds like ammonia, nitric acid, and nitrates.

For example, ammonia (NH₃) is used in fertilizers, explosives, and cleaning agents, while nitrates are important for plant growth. Nitrogen’s ability to form multiple covalent bonds makes it versatile in agriculture, industry, and chemical synthesis.

Detailed Explanation:

Formation of Useful Nitrogen Compounds

Nitrogen is a nonmetal element that exists mainly as diatomic nitrogen (N₂) in the atmosphere. The N₂ molecule is very stable due to a triple covalent bond, making nitrogen unreactive under normal conditions. However, under specific conditions such as high temperature, pressure, or the presence of catalysts, nitrogen can form various compounds that are extremely useful in industry, agriculture, and biological processes.

Nitrogen Compounds

1. Ammonia (NH₃):
   • Formed by combining nitrogen with hydrogen under high pressure and temperature using the Haber process:
     N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃
   • Ammonia is a base, used in fertilizers (ammonium salts), cleaning agents, and chemical industries.
2. Nitric Acid (HNO₃):
   • Produced from ammonia by the Ostwald process, combining ammonia with oxygen and water:
     NH₃ + O₂ → NO → NO₂ → HNO₃
   • Nitric acid is a strong acid used in fertilizers, explosives (like TNT), dyes, and industrial chemicals.
3. Nitrates (NO₃⁻) and Nitrites (NO₂⁻):
   • Nitrates are formed by neutralizing nitric acid with bases.
   • Nitrates are widely used in fertilizers to supply plants with essential nitrogen for growth.
   • Nitrites are used in food preservation and chemical synthesis.
4. Ammonium Compounds (NH₄⁺):
   • Ammonium salts like ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) and ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) are formed by reacting ammonia with acids.
   • These compounds are important for fertilizers, medicines, and industrial chemicals.
5. Cyanides (CN⁻):
   • Nitrogen combines with carbon to form cyanides, used in metal extraction, chemical synthesis, and industrial processes.

How Nitrogen Forms Compounds

1. Covalent Bonding:
   • Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and requires 3 more to complete its octet.
   • It forms triple, double, or single covalent bonds with other nonmetals.
   • Example: N₂ has a triple bond, NH₃ has three single bonds with hydrogen.
2. Reaction with Metals:
   • Nitrogen can react with active metals like lithium to form nitrides:
     6Li + N₂ → 2Li₃N
   • Metal nitrides are used in ceramics and industrial applications.
3. Catalytic and Environmental Conditions:
   • Due to strong N≡N bonds, nitrogen requires high temperature, pressure, or catalysts to form useful compounds.
   • The Haber process and Ostwald process are examples of industrial methods that overcome nitrogen’s inertness.

Importance of Nitrogen Compounds

1. Agriculture:
   • Ammonia, ammonium salts, and nitrates provide essential nitrogen for plant growth.
2. Industry:
   • Nitrogen compounds are used in explosives, cleaning agents, and chemical synthesis.
3. Environmental Role:
   • Nitrogen in fertilizers increases crop yield.
   • Nitrogen compounds are also part of biological cycles, maintaining ecological balance.

Summary

Nitrogen forms useful compounds through covalent bonding, reactions with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and metals, often requiring high temperature, pressure, or catalysts. These compounds include ammonia, nitric acid, nitrates, ammonium salts, and cyanides, which are vital for agriculture, industry, and daily life.

Conclusion:

Nitrogen is a chemically versatile nonmetal that, despite its inert nature as N₂ gas, forms essential compounds under suitable conditions. These compounds support plant growth, industrial processes, chemical synthesis, and environmental balance, demonstrating nitrogen’s crucial role in life and human activities.