* Nitrogen is an element: It's a pure substance that can't be broken down into simpler substances.
* Compound names are for combinations: Compound names describe substances formed by the chemical bonding of two or more elements.
However, nitrogen forms many different compounds with other elements. Here are some common examples:
* Nitrogen oxides: These are compounds of nitrogen and oxygen, like nitrous oxide (N₂O), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
* Nitrogen hydrides: These are compounds of nitrogen and hydrogen, like ammonia (NH₃).
* Nitrates: These are compounds containing the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻).
* Nitrites: These are compounds containing the nitrite ion (NO₂⁻).
So, instead of having a single "compound name" for nitrogen, it's more accurate to talk about the specific compounds it forms with other elements.
