Colorless, tasteless, odorless, relatively inert element. Symbol, N. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air, by volume. From this inexhaustible source it can be obtained by liquefaction and fractional distillation. Used in the production of ammonia and nitric acid, as a blanketing medium in the electronics industry, as a refrigerant, in annealing stainless steel, in drugs, and for forcing crude oil from oil wells.