Here's why:
* Nitrogen is a non-metal: Nitrogen exists as a diatomic molecule (N2), and non-metals typically form weak bonds.
* No ionic or covalent bonds: Nitrogen molecules do not share electrons (covalent bonding) or transfer electrons (ionic bonding) to form the crystal structure.
* Van der Waals forces: These are weak, temporary attractions between molecules caused by fluctuations in electron distribution. While weak individually, they become significant in large numbers, holding nitrogen molecules together in a crystal lattice.
In summary: While not as strong as ionic or covalent bonds, van der Waals forces are the dominant forces responsible for the solid state of nitrogen at low temperatures.
