Glossary of Terms - N

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Natural gas: A hydrocarbon gas found in the earth, composed of methane, ethane, butane, propane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hexane, heptanes, and pentane.

Neutron: A basic particle in an atom’s nucleus that has a neutral electrical charge.

Nitrogen: A gas that is an ingredient of natural gas. Nitrogen molecules each contain two nitrogen atoms.

Nonrenewable resource: A resource that is limited. Fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) are considered nonrenewable resources because once they are used up we cannot create more of them.

Nuclear plant: A facility that creates electrical power through nuclear power production.

Nucleus: The center of an atom. The nucleus contains tiny particles called protons and neutrons. Orbiting around the nucleus are electrons.

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