Nitrogen
Overview
Nitrogen is a diatomic elemental gas and the dominant constituent of most known life-supporting atmospheres, including TerraLike, PermianLike, and numerous psionically resonant worlds. Its chemical inertness at standard temperature makes it an ideal atmospheric diluent, moderating the reactivity of more energetic gases like Oxygen.
Properties
Nitrogen forms a strong triple bond between its two atoms, requiring extreme temperatures or specialized catalysts to break. This bond stability contributes to its role as a thermal buffer and pressure stabilizer in Continuum planetary ecosystems. Under psionic excitation, however, nitrogen can ionize to form *azotronic plasma*, a phenomenon harnessed in the propulsion chambers of Ignispheric starcraft.
Uses and Occurrences
Widely used in cryogenic preservation, inert-atmosphere engineering, and as a primary carrier gas in the synthetic replication of Aetherion and Lucidmist Atmosphere environments. Natural nitrogen cycles in biological worlds involve fixation by microbial analogues or divine biomatter, ultimately returning to the atmosphere through decay.
Related Atmospheres
Trivia
- Known by Continuum chemists as the “Silent Breath.”
- In psionic terms, nitrogen resonance corresponds to “Still Thought,” symbolizing stability and introspection.