Oxygen (O) and Nitrogen (N) are both nonmetals found in the same region of the periodic table, specifically in Group 15 (V) and Group 16 (VI), respectively. Both elements are essential for life; nitrogen is a crucial component of amino acids and nucleic acids, while oxygen is vital for respiration. In terms of atomic structure, oxygen has an atomic number of 8, meaning it has 8 protons and typically 8 electrons, while nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, with 7 protons and 7 electrons.
One of the key differences between the two is their reactivity; oxygen is highly reactive and combines readily with many elements to form oxides, while nitrogen is relatively inert and requires higher temperatures or specific conditions to react. Additionally, oxygen exists as a diatomic molecule (O2) in its gaseous state, whereas nitrogen also exists as a diatomic molecule (N2) but exhibits a stronger triple bond, making it less reactive under standard conditions. Overall, both elements play significant roles in the atmosphere and biological processes, yet they have distinct chemical behaviors and properties.