Meet Nino, a tiny nitrogen dot. He lives way up in the sky, always stuck with his twin. Together, they’re called N₂ — and the air is full of them!

But here’s the problem: plants and animals can’t use nitrogen like that. Not when it’s stuck in the sky.

So what happens?

Step 1: Breaking Free

⚡ Lightning or 🦠 special bacteria in the soil break Nino and his twin apart. Now Nino is free!

Step 2: Making Plant Food

The bacteria help Nino mix with other atoms:

• 🔴 Oxygen → makes NO₂ or NO₃

• 🟢 Hydrogen → makes NH₃

These new forms are food for plants! 🌱