Oxygen (O) VS Nitrogen (N)
A definitive side-by-side comparison of two essential element profiles.
VS
Main Differences
Oxygen (O) is an element in the nonmetals category with an atomic number of 8. Nitrogen (N) is an element in the nonmetals category with an atomic number of 7.
Oxygen (O) is 1.1x denser than Nitrogen (N). However, Nitrogen (N) melts at a higher temperature than Oxygen (O) (a difference of 8.8 Kelvin).
Where do the names come from?
Oxygen (O) Naming History
The name Oxygen comes from the Greek ''oxy genes'', meaning acid forming.
Nitrogen (N) Naming History
The name Nitrogen is derived from the Greek 'nitron' and 'genes' meaning nitre forming.
Related Comparisons
Compare
Oxygen (O)
Nitrogen (N)
Category
Nonmetals
Nonmetals
Atomic Number
8
7
Symbol
O
N
Atomic Mass
15.999 u
14.007 u
Group
16
15
Period
2
2
Block
p-block
p-block
Standard State (at 20°C)
gas
gas
Density
1.429 g/L g/cm³
1.251 g/L g/cm³
Melting Point (°C)
−218.79°C
−210.0°C
Melting Point (°F)
−361.82°F
−346.0°F
Melting Point (K)
54.36 K
63.15 K
Boiling Point (°C)
−182.962°C
−195.795°C
Boiling Point (°F)
−297.332°F
−320.431°F
Boiling Point (K)
90.2 K
77.36 K
Year Discovered:
1774
1772
CAS Number
7782-44-7
7727-37-9
Origin of Name:
The name comes from the Greek ''oxy genes'', meaning acid forming.
The name is derived from the Greek 'nitron' and 'genes' meaning nitre forming.