Nitrogen and Knox Grammar School: Difference between pages

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox nitrogen}}
{{Infobox Aust school private
|name = Knox Grammar School
'''Nitrogen''' ({{pronEng|ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn}}) is a [[chemical element]] that has the symbol '''N''' and [[atomic number]] 7 and [[atomic weight]] 14.0067. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and mostly [[inert]] [[diatomic]] gas at [[standard conditions]], constituting 78.08% by volume of [[Earth's atmosphere]].
|image = [[Image:Knoxgrammar.jpg|Knox Grammar School crest. Source: www.knox.nsw.edu.au (Knox website)]]
|motto = ''Virile Agitur''<br>([[Latin]]:"The Manly Thing Is Being Done")<ref name=History/>
|established = 1924<ref name=ABSA/>
|type = [[Independent school|Independent]], [[Single-sex school|Single-sex]], [[Day school|Day]] & [[Boarding school|Boarding]]
|denomination = [[Uniting Church of Australia|Uniting Church]]<ref name=Schoolchoice>{{cite web |url=http://www.schoolchoice.com.au/find_a_school?cid=12348&pid=2701612 |title=Knox Grammar School |accessdate=2008-01-23 |work=New South Wales |publisher=School Choice}}</ref>
|slogan = "Faith, Wisdom, Integrity, Compassion"
|key_people = Mr. Rob Wannan (Chairman)<br>Mr. John Weeks (Headmaster)<br> Mr Phil Newton (Chaplain)<br>Mr. Will Nicholas (Chaplain)
|fees = AU$11,940-19,500 p.a (Day)<br>AU$33,270-37,140 p.a(Boarding)<ref name=Fees08>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/img/pdfs/enrolments/08-fees-page.pdf |title=Fees for 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-23 |format=PDF |work=Enrolments |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref>
|city = [[Wahroonga, New South Wales|Wahroonga]]
|state = [[New South Wales]]
|country = [[Australia]] {{flagicon|Australia}}
|coordinates = {{coord|33|43|24|S|151|7|11|E|display=inline,title}}
|enrolment = ~1,910 (K-12)<ref name=AnnualReport06/>
|num_employ = ~163<ref name=AnnualReport06>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/img/pdfs/ar/Knox%20Annual%20Report%2006_final_web.pdf |title=Annual Report 2006 |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format=PDF |work=Prospective |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref>
|revenue =
|colours = Black & Blue {{color box|#000000}}{{color box|#0000FF}}
|homepage = [http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au www.knox.nsw.edu.au]
}}
'''Knox Grammar School''' is an [[Independent school|independent]], [[Uniting Church in Australia|Uniting Church]], [[Day school|day]] and [[boarding school]] for boys, located in [[Wahroonga, New South Wales|Wahroonga]], an [[Upper North Shore (Sydney)|upper North Shore]] suburb of [[Sydney, New South Wales|Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]].


Founded in 1924 by the [[Presbyterian Church of Australia]] as an all-boys [[school]], and named after [[John Knox]], the school has since grown, branching out into a large [[High school|senior school]] of approximately 1350 students and a [[preparatory school]] of 550.<ref name=History/> The school also caters for approximately 130 boarding students from Years 6 to 12.<ref name=ABSA/>
Many industrially important compounds, such as [[ammonia]], [[nitric acid]], organic nitrates ([[propellant]]s and [[explosive]]s), and [[cyanide]]s, contain nitrogen. The very strong bond in elemental nitrogen dominates nitrogen chemistry, causing difficulty for both organisms and industry in converting the {{chem|N|2}} into useful compounds, and releasing large amounts of energy when these compounds burn or decay back into nitrogen gas.


Knox is affiliated with the [[Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference]],<ref name=HMC>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmc.org.uk/schools/international.htm |title=International Members |accessdate=2008-03-11 |work= HMC Schools |publisher= The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference}}</ref> the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),<ref name=AHISA>{{cite web |url=http://www.ahisa.com.au/Display.aspx?tabid=2230 |title=AHISA Schools|accessdate=2008-01-23 |year =2008 |month =January |work=New South Wales|publisher=Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia}}</ref> the [[Junior School Heads Association of Australia]] (JSHAA),<ref name=jshaa>{{cite web |url=http://www.jshaa.asn.au/nsw/directory/index.asp |title=JSHAA New South Wales Directory of Members |accessdate=2008-01-23 |year =2007 |work=New South Wales Branch|publisher=Junior School Heads' Association of Australia}}</ref> the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA),<ref name=ABSA>{{cite web |url=http://www.boarding.org.au/site/school_detail.cfm?schID=14 |title=Knox Grammar School |accessdate=2008-01-23 |year =2007 |work=Schools|publisher=Australian Boarding Schools' Association}}</ref> and is a founding member of the [[Combined Associated Schools]] (CAS).<ref name=Sport/><ref name=CAS>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/pf/about/history/cas.html |title=CAS |accessdate=2008-01-23 |work=About Knox |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref>
The element nitrogen was discovered by [[Daniel Rutherford]] in [[1772]]. Nitrogen occurs in all living organisms — it is a constituent element of [[amino acids]] and thus of [[protein]]s, and of [[nucleic acids]] ([[DNA]] and [[RNA]]); resides in the [[chemical structure]] of almost all [[neurotransmitter]]s; and is a defining component of [[alkaloid]]s, biological molecules produced by many organisms.


== History ==
== History ==
Knox Grammar School was established on Sydney's North Shore in 1924, by the [[Presbyterian Church of Australia|Presbyterian Church]]. The school was named after [[John Knox]], the 16th century [[Scotland|Scottish]] reformer, who planned a network of schools in every church parish.<ref name=Welcome>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/pf/about/ |title=Welcome |accessdate=2008-01-23 |work=About Knox |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref>
Nitrogen ([[Latin]] ''nitrogenium'', where ''nitrum'' (from [[Greek language|Greek]] ''nitron'') means "saltpetre" (see [[nitre]]), and ''genes'' means "forming") is formally considered to have been discovered by [[Daniel Rutherford]] in [[1772]], who called it ''noxious air'' or ''fixed air''. That there was a fraction of air that did not support [[combustion]] was well known to the late 18th century chemist. Nitrogen was also studied at about the same time by [[Carl Wilhelm Scheele]], [[Henry Cavendish]], and [[Joseph Priestley]], who referred to it as ''burnt air'' or ''[[Phlogiston theory|phlogisticated air]]''. Nitrogen gas was [[inert]] enough that [[Antoine Lavoisier]] referred to it as "mephetic air" or ''azote'', from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word αζωτος meaning "lifeless". Animals died in it, and it was the principal component of air in which animals had suffocated and flames had burned to extinction.
[[Image:KnoxEarlston1923.jpg|thumb|200px|'Earlston' (now Gillespie Boarding House), [[Circa|c.]] 1923]]
Lavoisier's name for nitrogen still remains in the common names of many compounds, such as hydrazine and compounds of the azide ion. Compounds of nitrogen were known in the [[Middle Ages]]. The [[alchemy|alchemists]] knew [[nitric acid]] as ''aqua fortis'' (strong water). The mixture of nitric and [[hydrochloric acid]]s was known as ''[[aqua regia]]'' (royal water), celebrated for its ability to dissolve [[gold]] (the ''king'' of metals). The earliest military, industrial and [[Agriculture|agricultural]] applications of nitrogen compounds involved uses of [[Potassium nitrate|saltpeter]] ([[sodium nitrate]] or [[potassium nitrate]]), notably in [[gunpowder]], and much later, as [[fertilizer]].
Knox opened as a Presbyterian Boys' School after founding members John Gilmore, William McIlrath, Robert Gillespie and Andrew Reid purchased the original property, 'Earlston', as the first school building.<ref name=History/> Now the Gillespie Boarding House, 'Earlston' was previously owned by [[Charles Mackellar|Sir Charles Mackellar]], was designed by [[architect]]s Spain & Cosh, and built in 1908 for W. Moses Esq., [[Warrawee, New South Wales|Warrawee]].<ref name=Founders>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/pf/about/history/founders.html |title=School Founders |accessdate=2008-02-07 |work=History & Tradition |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref>


The school was officially opened by the [[George Fuller (Australian politician)|Hon. Sir George Fuller]] KCMG, [[Premier of New South Wales]], on [[5 February]] [[1924]].<ref name=Founders/> Under the founding [[Headmaster]] Neil MacNeil, a [[Rhodes Scholar]], Knox grew rapidly both in academic achievement and by providing students with skills in areas like [[woodwork]] and [[metalwork]]. Under MacNeil, Knox was able to survive the [[Great Depression]], and saw expanded facilities. Student numbers rose from 28 in 1924 to over 300 in 1939.<ref name=History/>
== Properties ==
[[Image:Electron shell 007 Nitrogen.svg|thumb|left|Electron shell diagram of nitrogen]]
FUCK Nitrogen is a [[nonmetal]], with an [[electronegativity]] of 3.0. It has five [[electrons]] in its outer shell and is therefore [[valence (chemistry)|trivalent]] in most compounds. The triple bond in molecular nitrogen ({{chem|N|2}}) is one of the strongest in nature. The resulting difficulty of converting ({{chem|N|2}}) into other compounds, and the ease (and associated high energy release) of converting nitrogen compounds into elemental {{chem|N|2}}, have dominated the role of nitrogen in both nature and human economic activities.


In 1939, Dr William Bryden took over the role of Headmaster. As [[World War II]] broke out, around 370 Old Knox Grammarians served in the armed forces. 53 of them lost their lives and are now commemorated in the John Williams Memorial Hall, the School [[Chapel]], the Old Students' [[War Memorial]], and the original Science Building. Despite this hardship of war, Bryden oversaw growth in the School's academic standing and a further expansion of facilities in the 1940s and early 1950s. It was also during this time the [[Pipe Band]] was established.<ref name=History/>
At [[atmospheric pressure]] molecular nitrogen [[condensation|condenses]] ([[liquid|liquifies]]) at 77&nbsp;[[Kelvin|K]] (−195.8&nbsp;°[[Celsius|C]]) and [[freezing|freezes]] at 63&nbsp;K (−210.0&nbsp;°C) into the beta [[Close-packing|hexagonal close-packed]] crystal [[allotropic]] form. Below 35.4&nbsp;K (−237.6&nbsp;°C) nitrogen assumes the alpha [[Cubic crystal system|cubic]] crystal allotropic form. [[Liquid nitrogen]], a fluid resembling water, but with 80.8% of the density, is a common [[cryogen]].
[[Image:KnoxPipeBand1950.jpg|thumb|200px|Knox Pipe Band, [[Circa|c.]]1950]]
Dr John Mill Couper, a Scot, became Headmaster in 1953. Couper focused on broadening the School's education, with attention to [[music]] and [[art]], however, problems culminated in Couper's departure from a divided Knox in 1955.<ref name=History/>


These problems were short-lived and the next Headmaster, Dr T Ross McKenzie, provided a management style that saw Knox become one of the top independent schools in New South Wales. The school's fifth Headmaster, Dr Ian Paterson, initiated further developments including a substantial building program, the strengthening of music and improved academic results.<ref name=History/>
Unstable allotropes of nitrogen consisting of more than two nitrogen atoms have been produced in the laboratory, like {{chem|N|3}} and [[tetranitrogen|{{chem|N|4}}]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_7_161/ai_83477565 |title=A new molecule and a new signature - Chemistry - tetranitrogen |work=Science News |date=[[February 16]][[2002]] |accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref> Under extremely high pressures (1.1 million atm) and high temperatures (2000 K), as produced under [[diamond anvil]] conditions, nitrogen polymerizes into the single bonded [[diamond]] crystal structure, an allotrope nicknamed "nitrogen diamond."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.physorg.com/news693.html |title=Polymeric nitrogen synthesized |publisher=physorg.com |date=[[August 5]][[2004]] |accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref>


In 1999, Peter Crawley, former Head of [[Trinity Grammar School (Victoria)|Trinity Grammar School]] in [[Melbourne]], became Knox's sixth Headmaster. Crawley's term saw the School move into the 21st century with an innovative program of technology and computer-based learning. He retired from the School in 2003.<ref name=History/>
===Isotopes===
{{seealso|Isotopes of nitrogen}}


== Headmasters ==
There are two stable [[isotope]]s of nitrogen: <sup>14</sup>N and <sup>15</sup>N. By far the most common is <sup>14</sup>N (99.634%), which is produced in the [[CNO cycle]] in [[star]]s. Of the ten isotopes produced synthetically, <sup>13</sup>N has a [[half life]] of ten minutes and the remaining isotopes have half lives on the order of seconds or less.
{| class="wikitable"
Biologically-mediated reactions (e.g., [[Assimilation (biology)|assimilation]], [[nitrification]], and [[denitrification]]) strongly control nitrogen dynamics in the soil. These reactions typically result in <sup>15</sup>N enrichment of the [[Substrate (chemistry)|substrate]] and depletion of the [[Product (chemistry)|product]].
|-
!Period
!Details
|-
|1924 &ndash; 1938
|Mr. Neil MacNeil
|-
|1939 &ndash; 1952
|Dr. William Bryden
|-
|1953 &ndash; 1955
|Dr. John Mill Couper
|-
|1956 &ndash; 1968
|Dr. T Ross McKenzie
|-
|1969 &ndash; 1998
|Dr. Ian Paterson
|-
|1999 &ndash; 2003
|Mr. Peter Crawley
|-
|2004 &ndash; Present
|Mr. John Weeks
|-
|}


== Motto ==
0.73% of the molecular nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere is comprised of the [[isotopologue]] <sup>14</sup>N<sup>15</sup>N and almost all the rest is <sup>14</sup>N<sub>2</sub>.
Knox's school [[motto]] is a [[Latin]] phrase, ''Virile Agitur'',<ref name=History>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/pf/about/history/ |title= School History |accessdate=2008-01-23 |work=History & Tradition |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref> which has been translated by the Headmasters from the school as being "Act like a man" (Preparatory School), "The manly thing is being done" (Peter Crawley) or "Do the Manly Thing" (Dr Paterson).


==Campus==
===Electromagnetic spectrum===
===Facilities===
Molecular nitrogen (<sup>14</sup>N<sub>2</sub>) is largely transparent to infrared and visible radiation because it is a homonuclear molecule and thus has no [[dipole moment]] to couple to electromagnetic radiation at these wavelengths. Significant absorption occurs at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths, beginning around 100 nanometers. This is associated with electronic transitions in the molecule to states in which charge is not distributed evenly between nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen absorption leads to significant absorption of ultraviolet radiation in the Earth's upper atmosphere as well as in the atmospheres of other planetary bodies. For similar reasons, pure molecular [[nitrogen laser]]s typically emit light in the ultraviolet range.
[[Image:KnoxGrammar1943.jpg|thumb|200px|Knox Grammar School, 1943]]
Knox's senior campus includes a sports facility with an indoor pool, gymnasium, squash and weights rooms, music and drama centres, three boarding houses with a fourth on the Preparatory School campus located nearby, also in Wahroonga. Knox owns several major sporting fields including one on-campus at the Senior School, two on-campus at the Prep School, and two off-campus in [[Warrawee, New South Wales|Warrawee]] and neighbouring [[North Turramurra, New South Wales|North Turramurra]].


Each classroom is equipped with a digital projector and each student has a laptop with wireless internet access. In addition to its extensive academic and sporting programmes, the school offers many extra curricular activities including music with several large ensembles and orchestras, drama, debating, public speaking, chess, science clubs, and [[The Duke of Edinburgh's Award|Duke of Edinburgh's Award]] scheme, as well as maintaining the largest secondary school cadet unit in Australia. Since 2006 the school has been actively involved in the [[Future Problem Solving Program International|Future Problem Solving Program]].
Nitrogen also makes a contribution to visible [[air glow]] from the Earth's upper atmosphere, through electron impact excitation followed by emission. This visible blue air glow (seen in the polar [[Aurora (astronomy)|aurora]] and in the re-entry glow of returning spacecraft) typically results not from molecular nitrogen, but rather from free nitrogen atoms combining with oxygen to form [[nitric oxide]] (NO).


===Reactions===
===Building projects===
Knox has in recent years completed new buildings at both the Senior and Prep Schools. The Senior School's KG1 Building, opened in 2007, has several high-tech classrooms, access to the Lawson Centre (the school gym), locker space for approximately 230 students, and a new canteen. The KG1 Project also updated the Lawson Centre with a new flooring for the basketball court, new change rooms and a foyer, where Knox's many Trophies and memorabilia are displayed. The Prep School's K-2 Centre, opened in 2004, provided new classroom, library, art and music facilities for kindergarten and Year 1/2 students.
[[Image:RuA5N2.png|thumb|right|Structure of [Ru(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>5</sub>(N<sub>2</sub>)]<sup>2+</sup>.]]
Nitrogen is generally unreactive at standard temperature and pressure. N<sub>2</sub> reacts spontaneously with few [[reagents]], being resilient to acids and bases as well as oxidants and most reductants. When nitrogen reacts spontaneously with a reagent, the net transformation is often called [[nitrogen fixation]].


The school's current building plan envisages a Senior School Visual Arts Centre and a Great Hall.<ref>[http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/grthall/mstrpln2 The Great Hall Campaign: Master Plan - Stage 2] (accessed [[19 July]] [[2007]])</ref> This extensive building project will be situated in place of the current Knox Shop (uniform shop). The Great Hall will provide a space for 2,500 people, an entertainment centre, a venue which can hold examinations, and provide sporting infrastructure. There will be a large undercover parking area to permit teachers and parents to park close to the school. The Visual Arts Centre will encompass modern classroom and studio spaces, display areas and a gallery to display artwork made by school students. The projected cost is $17 million.<ref>[http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/grthall/target.html The Great Hall Campaign: The Campaign Target] (accessed [[19 July]] [[2007]])</ref>
Nitrogen reacts with elemental lithium at [[Standard conditions for temperature and pressure|STP]].<ref name=Schrock>{{cite journal | author = [[Richard R. Schrock]] | title = Catalytic Reduction of Dinitrogen to Ammonia at a Single Molybdenum Center | journal = [[Acc. Chem. Res.]] | year = 2005 | volume = 38 | pages = 955–962 | doi =10.1021/ar0501121}}</ref> Lithium burns in an atmosphere of N<sub>2</sub> to give [[lithium nitride]]:
:6 Li + N<sub>2</sub> → 2 Li<sub>3</sub>N
Magnesium also burns in nitrogen, forming [[magnesium nitride]].
:3 Mg + N<sub>2</sub> → Mg<sub>3</sub>N<sub>2</sub>
N<sub>2</sub> forms a variety of [[adduct]]s with transition metals. The first example of a [[dinitrogen complex]] is [Ru(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>5</sub>(N<sub>2</sub>)]<sup>2+</sup> (see figure at right). Such compounds are now numerous, other examples include IrCl(N<sub>2</sub>)(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>, W(N<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>([[Dppe|Ph<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>PPh<sub>2</sub>]])<sub>2</sub>, and [(η<sup>5</sup>-C<sub>5</sub>Me<sub>4</sub>H)<sub>2</sub>Zr]<sub>2</sub>([[bridging ligand|μ]]<sub>2</sub>,[[hapticity|η]]²,η²-N<sub>2</sub>). These complexes illustrate how N<sub>2</sub> might bind to the metal(s) in [[nitrogenase]] and the catalyst for the [[Haber-Bosch Process]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Fryzuk, M. D. and Johnson, S. A. |title=The continuing story of dinitrogen activation |journal=[[Coordination Chemistry Reviews]] |volume=200–202 |pages=379 |year=2000 |doi=10.1016/S0010-8545(00)00264-2}}</ref> A catalytic process to reduce N<sub>2</sub> to ammonia with the use of a [[molybdenum]] complex in the presence of a proton source was published in 2005.<ref name=Schrock/> (see [[nitrogen fixation]])


==House system==
The starting point for industrial production of nitrogen compounds is the [[Haber-Bosch]] process, in which nitrogen is fixed by reacting {{chem|N|2}} and {{chem|H|2}} over a [[ferric oxide]] ({{chem|Fe|3|O|4}}) catalyst at about 500&nbsp;°C and 200 atmospheres pressure. Biological nitrogen fixation in free-living [[cyanobacteria]] and in the [[root nodules]] of plants also produces ammonia from molecular nitrogen. The reaction, which is the source of the bulk of nitrogen in the [[biosphere]], is catalysed by the [[nitrogenase]] [[enzyme]] complex which contains Fe and Mo atoms, using energy derived from hydrolysis of [[adenosine triphosphate]] (ATP) into [[adenosine diphosphate]] and [[inorganic]] [[phosphate]] (−20.5 kJ/mol).
=== Boarding ===
Knox Grammar School provides boarding facilities for over 150 boarders. Boarding facilities have been available since the school's opening, in 1924
[[Image:RobertGillespie.jpg|thumb|150px|Sir Robert Gillespie, a founder of Knox, [[Circa|c.]] 1920s]]
*'''Gilmore''' - traditionally the Junior Boarding House, accommodating boarders from years 5-8. Rev J.J. Gilmore was a founder of the school and long-serving member of the council (1923-1947).
*'''Gillespie''' (Maroon) - the original school house and is named for Robert Gillespie, a founder and benefactor of the school, and chairman of the school council (1923-1945). It was later converted into a Boarding House, today accommodating boarders from year 9.
*'''MacNeil''' (Black) - originally an expansion to Gillespie House, completed to add room to the new school. It is named for Neil MacNeil, the first Headmaster of the school (1924-1938). Today, it accommodates boarders from year 10.
*'''Ewan''' - a Prep School Boarding House, named for the wife of Dr Armstrong, the house's former owner. It is a heritage-listed building, dating back to the late 1890s. After significant expansion, it now houses the senior boarders, years 11 and 12.
Due to shortages in boarders during 2007 and 2008, Gillespie and MacNeil have expanded to include day students.


== Occurrence ==
=== Other houses===
Other than the boarding houses, all Knox boys are put into day houses that used to have their own locker areas in the school, although the locker areas are now done by year.
Nitrogen is the largest single constituent of the [[Earth|Earth's]] [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] (78.082% by volume of dry air, 75.3% by weight in dry air). It is created by [[stellar nucleosynthesis|fusion]] processes in [[star]]s, and is estimated to be the 7th most abundant [[chemical element]] by mass in the universe. {{Fact|date=February 2008}}
*'''Adamson''' (Dark green) - John Adamson - a long-serving chairman of the school council.
*'''Angus ''' (Brown) - Rev Samuel Angus - a [[Professor]] of [[Theology]] at [[Sydney University]] and former member of the school council.
*'''Bryden''' (Grey) - Dr William Bryden - the second Headmaster of the school (1939-1953). Also known as the cultural house.
*'''McIlrath''' (Dark blue) - William McIlrath - a founder and benefactor of the school and a long-serving council member (1923-1955). His widow contributed 50,000 pounds for the construction of the school chapel in 1960, which contains a [[Baroque]] organ by [[Ronald Sharp]].
*'''McKenzie''' (Orange). Dr Ross McKenzie - fourth Headmaster of the school (1956-1969).
*'''Montgomery''' (Lime green) - Ross Montgomery - a council member (1953-1970) and benefactor of the school. His major gifts included the Montgomery Building and Gilmore House.
*'''Murdoch''' (Red) - AM Murdoch - a long-serving school council member (from 1938) and chairwoman (1855-1969)
*'''Reid''' (Yellow) - Andrew Reid - a founder and benefactor of the school. A business leader, sole proprietor of [[James Hardie]] in 1912, he made many financial contributions to the school; he also built the Margaret Reid Home for Crippled Children in St. Ives, in memory of his late wife.
*'''Sinclair''' (Purple) - George Sinclair - a school council member (from 1944) and chairman (1952-1955).
*'''Turnbull''' (Light Blue) - Alex Turnbull - a founding member of the school council, serving 1923-1947, and an elder at St Margaret's Church in nearby Turramurra.


==Co-curriculum==
[[Molecule|Molecular]] nitrogen and nitrogen [[compound]]s have been detected in [[interstellar space]] by astronomers using the [[Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9710162v1|title=Abundance of Interstellar Nitorgen|author=Daved M. Meyer, Jason A. Cardelli, and Ulysses J. Sofia|publisher=arXiv|accessdate=2007-12-24|date=1997}}</ref> Molecular nitrogen is a major constituent of the [[Saturn]]ian moon [[Titan (moon)|Titan]]'s thick atmosphere, and occurs in trace amounts in other planetary atmospheres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solarviews.com/eng/titan.htm|title=Titan (Saturn VI)|accessdate=2007-12-24|publisher=Solarviews.com|author=Calvin J. Hamilton}}</ref>
===Cadet unit (KGSACU)===


Knox Grammar School has an Australian Army Cadet Unit, the KGSACU. It comprises 547 members, ranging from Recruit Cadets to Cadet Under Officers. It is the largest Army Cadet Unit in the Southern Hemisphere.{{fact|date=February 2008}} Cadet participation is compulsory from Term 1, Year 9, through to the end of Term 4, Year 9. From then on, boys may optionally continue cadets, and promotion opportunities become available.
Nitrogen is present in all living organisms in proteins, nucleic acids and other molecules. It typically makes up around 4% of the dry weight of plant matter, and around 3% of the weight of the human body. It is a large component of animal waste (for example, [[guano]]), usually in the form of [[urea]], [[uric acid]], [[ammonium]] compounds and derivatives of these nitrogenous products, which are essential nutrients for all plants that are unable to [[nitrogen fixation|fix atmospheric nitrogen]].


The Cadet Unit participates in Bivouac at the end of Term 1, an Annual Field Exercise (or AFX) at the end of Term 2, and the Promotions Courses during November each year. Although in 2008 these exercises have been combined into one exercise to take place at the end of Term 1. Additionally, the KGSACU holds parades for the Old Knox Grammarians Association (OKGA), an ANZAC parade to commemorate [[ANZAC Day]] (though often, due to school holidays, not on the day itself), and a Passing Out Parade at the end of the cadet year to farewell the Year 12 members at the conclusion of their service to the unit.
Nitrogen occurs naturally in a number of minerals, such as [[potassium nitrate|saltpetre]] (potassium nitrate), [[sodium nitrate|Chile saltpetre]] (sodium nitrate) and [[sal ammoniac]] (ammonium chloride). Most of these are relatively uncommon, partly because of the minerals' ready solubility in water. See also [[:category:Nitrate minerals|Nitrate minerals]] and [[:category:Ammonium minerals|Ammonium minerals]].


The KGSACU is battalion strength, and is divided into several companies, platoons and sections. Each company consists of three platoons, except for A Company, which has four platoons.
==Compounds==
*A Company, for continuing cadets who are involved in advanced training and outdoor skills, and Pioneers Platoon.
*B, C, and D Company, for recruits and their rank.
*Headquarters Company, consisting of Operations Platoon, Administration Platoon, and Quartermaster's Platoon.
*Support Company, Signals Platoon, Medical Platoon and Reconnaissance Platoon.


Quartermaster’s Platoon controls the stores and supplies for the unit. Medical Platoon is charged with the medical welfare of cadet. Signals Platoon operates the UnitNet (The unit communications network) and assists in communications via radios. Administration Platoon control the documentation and registration of all members of the unit. Pioneer Platoon have previously operated the rock climbing and abseiling equipment for the unit, but in the Bivouac/AFX of 2008 this was set up and operated by members of Outdoor Adventures. Instead, Pioneers Platoon created and operated the Confidence Course, which involved an obstacle course and a wombat hole. Operations Platoon is a small highly specialised group responsible for planning AFX. Reconnaissance Platoon specialises in operating in small groups. They act as the 'opposing force' to A, B, C, and D company on exercises.
''See also the category [[:category:Nitrogen compounds|Nitrogen compounds]].''


===Sport===
The main neutral [[hydride]] of nitrogen is [[ammonia]] (N[[hydrogen|H]]<sub>3</sub>), although [[hydrazine]] (N<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) is also commonly used. Ammonia is more [[Basic (chemistry)|basic]] than [[water]] by 6 orders of magnitude. In [[solution]] ammonia forms the [[ammonium]] [[ion]] (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>). Liquid ammonia (b.p. 240 K) is [[amphiprotic]] (displaying either [[Brønsted-Lowry]] acidic or basic character) and forms ammonium and the less common [[amide]] ions (NH<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>); both amides and [[nitride]] (N<sup>3-</sup>) [[salt]]s are known, but [[Chemical decomposition|decompose]] in water. Singly, doubly, triply and quadruply substituted alkyl compounds of ammonia are called [[amine]]s (four substitutions, to form commercially and biologically important quarternary amines, results in a positively charged nitrogen, and thus a water-soluble, or at least [[amphiphilic]], compound). Larger chains, rings and structures of nitrogen hydrides are also known, but are generally unstable. N<sub>2</sub><sup>2+</sup> is another polyatomic cation as in hydrazine.
Knox is a member of the [[Combined Associated Schools]] (CAS), and plays competitive sport against the five other member Schools namely, [[Barker College]], [[Cranbrook School Sydney|Cranbrook School]], [[St Aloysius' College (Sydney)|St. Aloysius College]], [[Trinity Grammar School (New South Wales)|Trinity Grammar School]] and [[Waverley College]]. Trial and pre-season fixtures are played against the [[Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales|GPS]] and [[Independent Schools Association|ISA]] Schools. Students may represent Knox in a variety of inter-school sporting fixtures played each Saturday throughout the term.<ref name=Sport>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/pf/cocurric/sport/ |title=Sport |accessdate=2008-02-07 |work=Co-curricular |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref>


The intra-school sporting programs includes House carnivals, Standards and Inter-School competitions open to all boys.<ref name=Sport/>
Other classes of nitrogen [[anion]]s (negatively charged ions) are the poisonous [[azide]]s (N<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>), which are linear and [[isoelectronic]] to [[carbon dioxide]], but which bind to important iron-containing enzymes in the body in a manner more resembling [[cyanide]]. Another [[molecule]] of the same structure is the colorless and relatively inert anesthetic gas [[Nitrous oxide|dinitrogen monoxide]] {{chem|N|2|O}}, also known as laughing gas. This is one of a variety of [[oxide]]s, the most prominent of which are [[nitrogen monoxide]] (NO) (known more commonly as [[nitric oxide]] in biology), a natural free radical molecule used by the body as a signal for short-term control of smooth muscle in the circulation. Another notable nitrogen oxide compound (a family often abbreviated '''NOx''') is the reddish and poisonous [[nitrogen dioxide]] {{chem|NO|2}}, which also contains an unpaired [[electron]] and is an important component of [[smog]]. Nitrogen molecules containing unpaired electrons show an understandable tendency to [[dimerize]] (thus pairing the electrons), and are generally highly reactive.


Participating in sport at Knox is compulsory in both the Winter and Summer sporting seasons.
The more standard oxides, [[dinitrogen trioxide]] {{chem|N|2|O|3}} and [[dinitrogen pentoxide]] {{chem|N|2|O|5}}, are actually fairly unstable and explosive-- a tendency which is driven by the stability of {{chem|N|2}} as a product. The corresponding acids are [[nitrous acid|nitrous]] {{chem|HNO|2}} and [[nitric acid]] {{chem|HNO|3}}, with the corresponding salts called [[nitrite]]s and [[nitrate]]s. [[Dinitrogen tetroxide]] {{chem|N|2|O|4}} (DTO) is one of the most important oxidisers of rocket fuels, used to oxidise [[hydrazine]] in the [[Titan rocket]] and in the recent [[NASA]] [[MESSENGER]] probe to [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]]. DTO is an intermediate in the manufacture of nitric acid {{chem|HNO|3}}, one of the few acids stronger than [[hydronium]] and a fairly strong [[oxidizing agent]].


== Notable alumni ==
Nitrogen is notable for the range of explosively unstable compounds that it can produce. Nitrogen triiodide {{chem|NI|3}} is an extremely sensitive [[contact explosive]]. [[Nitrocellulose]], produced by nitration of cellulose with nitric acid, is also known as guncotton. [[Nitroglycerin]], made by nitration of [[glycerin]], is the dangerously unstable explosive ingredient of [[dynamite]]. The comparatively stable, but more powerful explosive [[trinitrotoluene]] (TNT) is the standard explosive against which the power of nuclear explosions are measured.
[[Alumnus]] of Knox are known as "Old Knox Grammarians", and may elect to join the schools [[alumni association]], the Old Knox Grammarian's Association (OKGA).<ref name=OKGA>{{cite web |url=http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/alumni/ |title=OKGA Introduction |accessdate=2008-02-07 |work=OKGA |publisher=Knox Grammar School}}</ref> For a list of notable Old Knox Grammarians, see '''''[[List of Old Knox Grammarians]]'''''.

Nitrogen can also be found in [[organic compound]]s. Common nitrogen [[functional group]]s include: [[amines]], [[amides]], [[nitro]] groups, [[imine]]s, and [[enamine]]s. The amount of nitrogen in a [[chemical substance]] can be determined by the [[Kjeldahl method]].

==Applications==
[[Image:NitrogenRencer.png|thumb|150px|A computer rendering of the nitrogen [[molecule]], N<sub>2</sub>.]]
Nitrogen gas is acquired for industrial purposes by the fractional [[distillation]] of liquid air, or by mechanical means using gaseous air (i.e. pressurised reverse [[Osmotic pressure|osmosis membrane]] or pressure swing adsorption). Commercial nitrogen is often a byproduct of air-processing for industrial concentration of oxygen for steelmaking and other purposes. When supplied compressed in cylinders it is often referred to as OFN (oxygen-free nitrogen).

Nitrogen gas has a wide variety of applications, including serving as an [[inert]] replacement for [[air]] where [[redox|oxidation]] is undesirable;
* To preserve the [[freshness]] of packaged or bulk foods (by delaying [[Rancidification|rancidity]] and other forms of [[Redox|oxidative damage]])
* In ordinary [[incandescent light bulb]]s as an inexpensive alternative to [[argon]]
* On top of [[liquid explosives]] for safety measures
* The production of [[electronics|electronic]] parts such as [[transistor]]s, [[diode]]s, and [[integrated circuit]]s
* [[Dried]] and [[pressurized]], as a [[dielectric]] [[gas]] for [[high voltage]] equipment
* The manufacturing of [[stainless steel]]
* Use in [[military]] [[military aircraft|aircraft]] [[fuel]] systems to reduce fire hazard, see [[inerting system]]
* Filling [[automotive]] and [[aircraft]] [[tire]]s<ref>{{cite web | url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question594.htm | title=Why don't they use normal air in race car tires? |publisher=Howstuffworks |accessdate=2006-07-22}}</ref> due to its [[inertness]] and lack of [[moisture]] or [[oxidative]] qualities, as opposed to [[air]], though this is not necessary for consumer [[automobiles]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1997/September/05.html | title=Diffusion, moisture and tyre expansion |publisher=Car Talk |accessdate=2006-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/070216.html | title=Is it better to fill your tires with nitrogen instead of air? |publisher=The Straight Dope |accessdate=2007-02-16}}</ref>

Nitrogen [[molecules]] are less likely to escape from the inside of a tire compared with the traditional air mixture used. [[Earth's atmosphere|Air]] consists mostly of nitrogen and [[oxygen]]. Nitrogen molecules have a larger effective [[diameter]] than [[oxygen]] molecules and therefore [[diffuse]] through [[porous]] [[Chemical substance|substances]] more slowly.<ref>{{cite journal |author=G. J. Van Amerongen |title=The Permeability of Different Rubbers to Gases and Its Relation to Diffusivity and Solubility |journal=Journal of Applied Physics |year=1946 |volume=17 |issue=11 |pages=972–985 |doi=10.1063/1.1707667}}</ref>

Molecular nitrogen, a diatomic gas, is apt to dimerize into a linear four nitrogen long polymer. This is an important phenomenon for understanding high-voltage nitrogen dielectric switches because the process of polymerization can continue to lengthen the molecule to still longer lengths in the presence of an intense electric field. A nitrogen polymer fog is thereby created. The second virial coefficient of nitrogen also shows this effect as the compressibility of nitrogen gas is changed by the dimerization process at moderate and low temperatures.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}

Nitrogen tanks are also replacing carbon dioxide as the main power source for paintball guns. The downside is that nitrogen must be kept at higher pressure than CO2, making N2 tanks heavier and more expensive.

===Nitrogenated beer===
A further example of its versatility is its use as a preferred alternative to [[carbon dioxide]] to [[pressurize]] kegs of some [[beer]]s, particularly [[ale|stouts]] and British [[ale]]s, due to the smaller [[bubbles]] it produces, which make the dispensed [[beer]] smoother and headier. A modern application of a pressure sensitive nitrogen capsule known commonly as a "[[widget (beer)|widget]]" now allows nitrogen charged beers to be packaged in [[Beverage can|cans]] and [[bottles]].<ref>[http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/question446.htm Howstuffworks "How does the widget in a beer can work?"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Liquid nitrogen===
{{main|Liquid nitrogen}}
Liquid nitrogen is a [[cryogen|cryogenic liquid]]. At atmospheric pressure, it boils at &minus;196.5 °C. When insulated in proper containers such as [[dewar flask]]s, it can be transported without much [[evaporation|evaporative loss]].

Like [[dry ice]], the main use of liquid nitrogen is as a [[refrigerant]]. Among other things, it is used in the [[cryopreservation]] of [[blood]], reproductive cells ([[sperm]] and [[ovum|egg]]), and other biological samples and materials. It is used in [[cold trap]]s for certain laboratory equipment and to cool x-ray detectors. It has also been used to cool [[central processing unit]]s and other devices in computers which are [[overclocking|overclocked]], and which produce more heat than during normal operation.

===Applications of nitrogen compounds===
Molecular nitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>) in the atmosphere is relatively non-reactive due to its strong bond, and N<sub>2</sub> plays an inert role in the human body, being neither produced or destroyed. In nature, nitrogen is converted into biologically (and industrially) useful compounds by some living organisms, notably certain [[bacteria]] (i.e. [[nitrogen fixing bacteria]] – see ''[[#Biological role|Biological role]]'' above). Molecular nitrogen is also released into the atmosphere in the process of decay, in dead plant and animal tissues. The ability to combine or '''fix''' molecular nitrogen is a key feature of modern industrial chemistry, where nitrogen and [[natural gas]] are converted into [[ammonia]] via the [[Haber process]]. Ammonia, in turn, can be used directly (primarily as a [[fertilizer]], and in the synthesis of nitrated fertilizers), or as a precursor of many other important materials including [[explosives]], largely via the production of [[nitric acid]] by the [[Ostwald process]].

The organic and inorganic [[salt]]s of nitric acid have been important historically as stores of chemical energy. They include important compounds such as [[potassium nitrate]] (or [[Potassium nitrate|saltpeter]] used in [[gunpowder]]) and [[ammonium nitrate]], an important fertilizer and explosive (see [[ANFO]]). Various other nitrated organic compounds, such as [[nitroglycerin]] and [[trinitrotoluene]], and [[nitrocellulose]], are used as explosives and propellants for modern firearms. [[Nitric acid]] is used as an [[oxidizing agent]] in liquid fueled [[rocket]]s. [[Hydrazine]] and hydrazine derivatives find use as rocket [[fuel]]s and [[monopropellant]]s. In most of these compounds, the basic instability and tendency to burn or explode is derived from the fact that nitrogen is present as an oxide, and not as the far more stable nitrogen molecule (N<sub>2</sub>) which is a product of the compounds' thermal decomposition. When nitrates burn or explode, the formation of the powerful triple bond in the N<sub>2</sub> which results, produces most of the energy of the reaction.

Nitrogen is a constituent of molecules in every major drug class in pharmacology and medicine. [[Nitrous oxide]] (N<sub>2</sub>O) was discovered early in the 19th century to be a partial anesthetic, though it was not used as a surgical anesthetic until later. Called "[[laughing gas]]", it was found capable of inducing a state of social disinhibition resembling drunkenness. Other notable nitrogen-containing drugs are drugs derived from plant [[alkaloids]], such as [[morphine]] (there exist many alkaloids known to have pharmacological effects; in some cases they appear natural chemical defences of plants against predation). Nitrogen containing drugs include all of the major classes of antibiotics, and organic nitrate drugs like [[nitroglycerin]] and [[nitroprusside]] which regulate blood pressure and heart action by mimicking the action of [[nitric oxide]].

==Biological role==
{{See also|nitrogen cycle}}

Nitrogen is an essential part of [[amino acids]] and [[nucleic acid]]s, both of which are essential to all life on Earth.

Molecular nitrogen in the atmosphere cannot be used directly by either plants or animals, and needs to be converted into nitrogen compounds, or "fixed," in order to be used by life. [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] often contains substantial quantities of [[ammonium]] and nitrate, both thought to be a result of [[nitrogen fixation]] by [[lightning]] and other atmospheric electric phenomena. However, because [[ammonium]] is preferentially retained by the [[forest canopy]] relative to atmospheric nitrate, most of the fixed nitrogen that reaches the [[soil]] surface under trees is in the form of nitrate. Soil nitrate is preferentially assimilated by tree [[root]]s relative to soil ammonium.

Specific [[bacteria]] (e.g. ''[[Rhizobia|Rhizobium]] trifolium'') possess [[nitrogenase]] [[enzyme]]s which can fix atmospheric nitrogen (see [[nitrogen fixation]]) into a form (ammonium ion) which is chemically useful to higher organisms. This process requires a large amount of energy and [[anoxia|anoxic]] conditions. Such bacteria may be free in the soil (e.g. ''[[Azotobacter]]'') but normally exist in a [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] relationship in the [[root nodule]]s of leguminous plants (e.g. [[clover]], ''[[Trifolium]]'' species, or the [[soya bean]] plant, ''[[Glycine max]]''). Nitrogen-fixing bacteria can be symbiotic with a number of unrelated plant species. Common examples are legumes, alders (''[[Alnus]]'') spp., lichens, ''[[Casuarina]]'', ''[[Myrica]]'', liverworts, and ''[[Gunnera]]''.

As part of the symbiotic relationship, the plant subsequently converts the ammonium ion to nitrogen oxides and amino acids to form [[protein]]s and other biologically useful molecules, such as [[alkaloids]]. In return for the usable (fixed) nitrogen, the plant secretes sugars to the symbiotic bacteria.

Some plants are able to assimilate nitrogen directly in the form of nitrates which may be present in soil from natural mineral deposits, artificial fertilizers, animal waste, or organic decay (as the product of bacteria, but not bacteria specifically associated with the plant). Nitrates absorbed in this fashion are converted to nitrites by the enzyme ''nitrate'' reductase, and then converted to ammonia by another enzyme called ''nitrite'' reductase.

Nitrogen compounds are basic building blocks in animal biology. Animals use nitrogen-containing [[amino acids]] from plant sources, as starting materials for all nitrogen-compound animal biochemistry, including the manufacture of [[proteins]] and [[nucleic acids]]. Some plant-feeding insects are so dependent on nitrogen in their diet, that varying the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied to a plant can affect the rate of reproduction of the insects feeding on it.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Jahn, GC, LP Almazan, and J Pacia |year=2005 |title=Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the intrinsic rate of increase of the rusty plum aphid, ''Hysteroneura setariae'' (Thomas) (Homoptera: Aphididae) on rice (''Oryza sativa'' L.) |journal=Environmental Entomology |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=938–943 |url=http://puck.esa.catchword.org/vl=33435372/cl=21/nw=1/rpsv/cw/esa/0046225x/v34n4/s26/p938}}</ref>

Soluble nitrate is an important limiting factor in the growth of certain bacteria in ocean waters. In many places in the world, artificial [[fertilizer]]s applied to crop-lands to increase yields result in run-off delivery of soluble nitrogen to oceans at river mouths. This process can result in [[eutrophication]] of the water, as nitrogen-driven bacterial growth depletes water oxygen to the point that all higher organisms die. Well-known [[dead zone (ecology)|"dead zone"]] areas in the U.S. [[Gulf Coast]] and the [[Black Sea]] are due to this important polluting process.

Many saltwater fish manufacture large amounts of [[trimethylamine oxide]] to protect them from the high [[osmosis|osmotic]] effects of their environment (conversion of this compound to [[dimethylamine]] is responsible for the early odor in unfresh saltwater fish: PMID 15186102). In animals, the [[free radical]] molecule [[nitric oxide]] (NO), which is derived from an [[amino acid]], serves as an important regulatory molecule for circulation.

Animal metabolism of NO results in production of [[nitrite]]. Animal [[metabolism]] of nitrogen in proteins generally results in [[excretion]] of [[urea]], while animal metabolism of [[nucleic acids]] results in excretion of [[urea]] and [[uric acid]]. The characteristic odor of animal flesh decay is caused by nitrogen-containing long-chain [[amines]], such as [[putrescine]] and [[cadaverine]].

Decay of organisms and their waste products may produce small amounts of nitrate, but most decay eventually returns nitrogen content to the atmosphere, as molecular nitrogen.

== Safety ==

Rapid release of nitrogen gas into an enclosed space can displace oxygen, and therefore represents an [[Nitrogen asphyxiation|asphyxiation]] hazard. This may happen with few warning symptoms, since the human [[carotid body]] is a relatively slow and a poor low-oxygen (hypoxia) sensing system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bath.ac.uk/internal/bio-sci/bbsafe/asphyx.htm |title=Biology Safety - Cryogenic materials. The risks posed by them |publisher=University of Bath |accessdate=2007-01-03}}</ref> An example occurred shortly before the launch of the first Space Shuttle mission in [[1981]], when two technicians lost consciousness and died after they walked into a space located in the Shuttle's [[Mobile Launcher Platform]] that was pressurized with pure nitrogen as a precaution against fire. The technicians would have been able to exit the room if they had experienced early symptoms from nitrogen-breathing.

When inhaled at high [[partial pressures]] (more than about 4 bar, encountered at depths below about 30 m in [[scuba diving]]) nitrogen begins to act as an anesthetic agent. It can cause [[nitrogen narcosis]], a temporary semi-anesthetized state of mental impairment similar to that caused by [[nitrous oxide]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Fowler |first=B |coauthors=Ackles, KN; Porlier, G |title=Effects of inert gas narcosis on behavior--a critical review. |journal=Undersea Biomed. Res. |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=369–402 |date=1985 |issn=0093-5387 |oclc=2068005 |pmid=4082343 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/3019 |accessdate=2008-09-21 }}</ref><ref> {{cite journal |author=W. H. Rogers |coauthors=G. Moeller |title=Effect of brief, repeated hyperbaric exposures on susceptibility to nitrogen narcosis |journal=Undersea Biomed. Res. |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=227–32 |date=1989 |issn=0093-5387 |oclc=2068005 |pmid=2741255 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2522 |accessdate=2008-09-21 }}</ref>

Nitrogen also dissolves in the [[Cardiovascular system|bloodstream]] and body fats. Rapid decompression (particularly in the case of divers ascending too quickly, or astronauts decompressing too quickly from cabin pressure to spacesuit pressure) can lead to a potentially fatal condition called [[decompression sickness]] (formerly known as caisson sickness or more commonly, the "bends"), when nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream, nerves, joints, and other sensitive or vital areas.<ref name=DCShx>{{cite journal |last=Acott |first=C. |title=A brief history of diving and decompression illness. |journal=South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal |volume=29 |issue=2 |date=1999 |issn=0813-1988 |oclc=16986801 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/6004 |accessdate=2008-09-21 }}</ref><ref name=Kindwall>{{cite journal |last=Kindwall |first=E. P. |coauthors=A. Baz; E. N. Lightfoot; E. H. Lanphier; A. Seireg. |title=Nitrogen elimination in man during decompression. |journal=Undersea Biomed. Res. |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=285–97 |date=1975 |issn=0093-5387 |oclc=2068005 |pmid=1226586 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2741 |accessdate=2008-09-21 }}</ref> Other "inert" gases (those gases other than carbon dioxide and oxygen) cause the same effects from bubbles composed of them, so replacement of nitrogen in [[breathing gas]]es may prevent nitrogen narcosis, but does not prevent decompression sickness.<ref name=usn>{{cite book |title=US Navy Diving Manual, 6th revision |year=2006 |publisher=US Naval Sea Systems Command |location=United States |url=http://www.supsalv.org/00c3_publications.asp?destPage=00c3&pageID=3.9 |accessdate=2008-04-24 }}</ref>

Direct skin contact with [[liquid nitrogen]] causes severe [[frostbite]] (cryogenic burns) within seconds, though not instantly on contact, depending on form of liquid nitrogen (liquid vs. mist) and surface area of the nitrogen-soaked material (soaked clothing or cotton causing more rapid damage than a spill of direct liquid to skin, which for a few seconds is protected by the [[Leidenfrost effect]]).


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of non-government schools in New South Wales]]

* [[Earth's atmosphere]]
* [[List of boarding schools]]
* [[Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition]]
* [[Nitrogen asphyxiation]]
* [[Nitrogenomics]]
* [[Nutrient]]
* [[Tetranitrogen]]
* [[TKN]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Mansfield, B. (1974). ''Knox, 1924-1974''. Sydney: John Sands.
*{{cite book |title=Biochemistry |last=Garrett |first=Reginald H. |authorlink= |coauthors=Grisham, Charles M. |year=1999 |edition=2nd edition |publisher=Saunders College Publ. |location=Fort Worth |isbn=0030223180 |pages= }}
*{{cite book |title=Chemistry of the Elements |last=Greenwood |first=Norman N. |authorlink= |coauthors=Earnshaw, Alan |year=1984 |publisher=Pergamon Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0080220576 |pages= }}
*{{cite web |url=http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/7.html |title=Nitrogen |accessdate= |work= |publisher=Los Alamos National Laboratory |date=2003-10-20 }}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/ Knox Grammar School website]
{{Commons|Nitrogen}}
{{wiktionary|nitrogen}}
* [http://www.balashon.com/2008/07/neter-and-nitrogen.html Etymology of Nitrogen]
* [http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem99/chem99306.htm Why high nitrogen density in explosives?]
* [http://www.webelements.com/nitrogen/ WebElements.com &ndash; Nitrogen]
* [http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele007.html It's Elemental &ndash; Nitrogen]
* [http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/mst/ptable/n.html Schenectady County Community College &ndash; Nitrogen]
* [http://www.uigi.com/nitrogen.html Nitrogen N2 Properties, Uses, Applications]
* [http://box27.bluehost.com/~edsanvil/wiki/index.php?title=Nitrogen_gas Computational Chemistry Wiki]
* [http://www.2spi.com/catalog/instruments/nitrodew-supp.html Handling procedures for liquid nitrogen]
* [http://www.safety.vanderbilt.edu/pdf/hcs_msds/NitrogenCryo_G103_06_04.pdf Material Safety Data Sheet]

{{diatomicelements}}
{{E number infobox 930-949}}

{{Compact periodic table}}


'''Google Maps views'''
[[Category:Nitrogen| ]]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sydney&ll=-33.723519,151.122394&spn=0.003705,0.010192&t=k&hl=en Senior School] Senior school visible mid-left, Gillespie fields visible upper right
[[Category:Chemical elements]]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sydney&ll=-33.718521,151.120827&spn=0.003705,0.010192&t=k&hl=en Prep School] Centre of picture
[[Category:Coolants]]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sydney&ll=-33.698833,151.147542&spn=0.003706,0.010192&t=k&hl=en Curugal Fields, North Turramurra] Centre of picture
[[Category:Dielectrics]]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sydney&t=k&hl=en&ll=-33.721832,151.124915&spn=0.004105,0.010815&t=k Gillespie Fields] Centre of Picture, Senior School visible bottom left
[[Category:Laser gain media]]


{{Combined Associated Schools}}
{{Link FA|ml}}
{{UCA Schools}}
{{Former PCA Schools}}


[[Category:Boys' schools in Australia]]
[[af:Stikstof]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1924]]
[[ar:نيتروجين]]
[[Category:Uniting Church in Australia]]
[[ast:Nitróxenu]]
[[Category:Boarding schools in New South Wales]]
[[az:Azot]]
[[Category:Private schools in New South Wales]]
[[bn:নাইট্রোজেন]]
[[Category:High schools in New South Wales]]
[[zh-min-nan:N (goân-sò͘)]]
[[Category:Old Knox Grammarians| ]]
[[be:Азот]]
[[Category:Members of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference]]
[[bs:Dušik]]
[[Category:Rock Eisteddfod Challenge participants]]
[[bg:Азот]]
[[Category:Combined Associated Schools]]
[[ca:Nitrogen]]
[[Category:Junior School Heads Association of Australia Member Schools]]
[[cv:Азот]]
[[cs:Dusík]]
[[co:Azotu]]
[[cy:Nitrogen]]
[[da:Kvælstof]]
[[de:Stickstoff]]
[[et:Lämmastik]]
[[el:Άζωτο]]
[[es:Nitrógeno]]
[[eo:Azoto]]
[[eu:Nitrogeno]]
[[fa:نیتروژن]]
[[fr:Azote]]
[[fur:Azôt]]
[[ga:Nítrigin]]
[[gv:Neetragien]]
[[gl:Nitróxeno]]
[[gu:નાઇટ્રોજન]]
[[ko:질소]]
[[haw:Naikokene]]
[[hy:Ազոտ]]
[[hi:नाइट्रोजन]]
[[hsb:Dusyk]]
[[hr:Dušik]]
[[io:Nitro]]
[[id:Nitrogen]]
[[ia:Nitrogeno]]
[[is:Nitur]]
[[it:Azoto]]
[[he:חנקן]]
[[jv:Nitrogen]]
[[pam:Nitrogen]]
[[kn:ಸಾರಜನಕ]]
[[ka:აზოტი]]
[[kk:Азот]]
[[sw:Nitrojeni]]
[[ht:Azòt]]
[[ku:Nîtrojen]]
[[la:Nitrogenium]]
[[lv:Slāpeklis]]
[[lb:Stéckstoff]]
[[lt:Azotas]]
[[li:Stikstof]]
[[ln:Azoti]]
[[jbo:trano]]
[[hu:Nitrogén]]
[[mk:Азот]]
[[ml:നൈട്രജന്‍]]
[[mt:Ażotu]]
[[mi:Hauota]]
[[mr:नायट्रोजन]]
[[mn:Азот]]
[[nah:Ehēcatehuiltic]]
[[nl:Stikstof]]
[[ja:窒素]]
[[no:Nitrogen]]
[[nn:Nitrogen]]
[[nov:Nitrogene]]
[[oc:Azòt]]
[[uz:Azot]]
[[pa:ਨਾਈਟ੍ਰੋਜਨ]]
[[nds:Stickstoff]]
[[pl:Azot]]
[[pt:Nitrogénio]]
[[ksh:Stickstoff]]
[[ro:Azot]]
[[qu:Qullpachaq]]
[[ru:Азот]]
[[sq:Azoti]]
[[scn:Azzotu]]
[[simple:Nitrogen]]
[[sk:Dusík]]
[[sl:Dušik]]
[[sr:Азот]]
[[sh:Dušik]]
[[fi:Typpi]]
[[sv:Kväve]]
[[ta:நைட்ரஜன்]]
[[te:నత్రజని]]
[[th:ไนโตรเจน]]
[[vi:Nitơ]]
[[tg:Азот]]
[[tr:Azot]]
[[uk:Азот]]
[[yi:אזאט]]
[[zh-yue:氮]]
[[bat-smg:Azuots]]
[[zh:氮]]

Revision as of 08:03, 13 October 2008

Template:Infobox Aust school private

Knox Grammar School is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Wahroonga, an upper North Shore suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Founded in 1924 by the Presbyterian Church of Australia as an all-boys school, and named after John Knox, the school has since grown, branching out into a large senior school of approximately 1350 students and a preparatory school of 550.[1] The school also caters for approximately 130 boarding students from Years 6 to 12.[2]

Knox is affiliated with the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference,[3] the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),[4] the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA),[5] the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA),[2] and is a founding member of the Combined Associated Schools (CAS).[6][7]

History

Knox Grammar School was established on Sydney's North Shore in 1924, by the Presbyterian Church. The school was named after John Knox, the 16th century Scottish reformer, who planned a network of schools in every church parish.[8]

'Earlston' (now Gillespie Boarding House), c. 1923

Knox opened as a Presbyterian Boys' School after founding members John Gilmore, William McIlrath, Robert Gillespie and Andrew Reid purchased the original property, 'Earlston', as the first school building.[1] Now the Gillespie Boarding House, 'Earlston' was previously owned by Sir Charles Mackellar, was designed by architects Spain & Cosh, and built in 1908 for W. Moses Esq., Warrawee.[9]

The school was officially opened by the Hon. Sir George Fuller KCMG, Premier of New South Wales, on 5 February 1924.[9] Under the founding Headmaster Neil MacNeil, a Rhodes Scholar, Knox grew rapidly both in academic achievement and by providing students with skills in areas like woodwork and metalwork. Under MacNeil, Knox was able to survive the Great Depression, and saw expanded facilities. Student numbers rose from 28 in 1924 to over 300 in 1939.[1]

In 1939, Dr William Bryden took over the role of Headmaster. As World War II broke out, around 370 Old Knox Grammarians served in the armed forces. 53 of them lost their lives and are now commemorated in the John Williams Memorial Hall, the School Chapel, the Old Students' War Memorial, and the original Science Building. Despite this hardship of war, Bryden oversaw growth in the School's academic standing and a further expansion of facilities in the 1940s and early 1950s. It was also during this time the Pipe Band was established.[1]

File:KnoxPipeBand1950.jpg
Knox Pipe Band, c.1950

Dr John Mill Couper, a Scot, became Headmaster in 1953. Couper focused on broadening the School's education, with attention to music and art, however, problems culminated in Couper's departure from a divided Knox in 1955.[1]

These problems were short-lived and the next Headmaster, Dr T Ross McKenzie, provided a management style that saw Knox become one of the top independent schools in New South Wales. The school's fifth Headmaster, Dr Ian Paterson, initiated further developments including a substantial building program, the strengthening of music and improved academic results.[1]

In 1999, Peter Crawley, former Head of Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne, became Knox's sixth Headmaster. Crawley's term saw the School move into the 21st century with an innovative program of technology and computer-based learning. He retired from the School in 2003.[1]

Headmasters

Period Details
1924 – 1938 Mr. Neil MacNeil
1939 – 1952 Dr. William Bryden
1953 – 1955 Dr. John Mill Couper
1956 – 1968 Dr. T Ross McKenzie
1969 – 1998 Dr. Ian Paterson
1999 – 2003 Mr. Peter Crawley
2004 – Present Mr. John Weeks

Motto

Knox's school motto is a Latin phrase, Virile Agitur,[1] which has been translated by the Headmasters from the school as being "Act like a man" (Preparatory School), "The manly thing is being done" (Peter Crawley) or "Do the Manly Thing" (Dr Paterson).

Campus

Facilities

Knox Grammar School, 1943

Knox's senior campus includes a sports facility with an indoor pool, gymnasium, squash and weights rooms, music and drama centres, three boarding houses with a fourth on the Preparatory School campus located nearby, also in Wahroonga. Knox owns several major sporting fields including one on-campus at the Senior School, two on-campus at the Prep School, and two off-campus in Warrawee and neighbouring North Turramurra.

Each classroom is equipped with a digital projector and each student has a laptop with wireless internet access. In addition to its extensive academic and sporting programmes, the school offers many extra curricular activities including music with several large ensembles and orchestras, drama, debating, public speaking, chess, science clubs, and Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, as well as maintaining the largest secondary school cadet unit in Australia. Since 2006 the school has been actively involved in the Future Problem Solving Program.

Building projects

Knox has in recent years completed new buildings at both the Senior and Prep Schools. The Senior School's KG1 Building, opened in 2007, has several high-tech classrooms, access to the Lawson Centre (the school gym), locker space for approximately 230 students, and a new canteen. The KG1 Project also updated the Lawson Centre with a new flooring for the basketball court, new change rooms and a foyer, where Knox's many Trophies and memorabilia are displayed. The Prep School's K-2 Centre, opened in 2004, provided new classroom, library, art and music facilities for kindergarten and Year 1/2 students.

The school's current building plan envisages a Senior School Visual Arts Centre and a Great Hall.[10] This extensive building project will be situated in place of the current Knox Shop (uniform shop). The Great Hall will provide a space for 2,500 people, an entertainment centre, a venue which can hold examinations, and provide sporting infrastructure. There will be a large undercover parking area to permit teachers and parents to park close to the school. The Visual Arts Centre will encompass modern classroom and studio spaces, display areas and a gallery to display artwork made by school students. The projected cost is $17 million.[11]

House system

Boarding

Knox Grammar School provides boarding facilities for over 150 boarders. Boarding facilities have been available since the school's opening, in 1924

Sir Robert Gillespie, a founder of Knox, c. 1920s
  • Gilmore - traditionally the Junior Boarding House, accommodating boarders from years 5-8. Rev J.J. Gilmore was a founder of the school and long-serving member of the council (1923-1947).
  • Gillespie (Maroon) - the original school house and is named for Robert Gillespie, a founder and benefactor of the school, and chairman of the school council (1923-1945). It was later converted into a Boarding House, today accommodating boarders from year 9.
  • MacNeil (Black) - originally an expansion to Gillespie House, completed to add room to the new school. It is named for Neil MacNeil, the first Headmaster of the school (1924-1938). Today, it accommodates boarders from year 10.
  • Ewan - a Prep School Boarding House, named for the wife of Dr Armstrong, the house's former owner. It is a heritage-listed building, dating back to the late 1890s. After significant expansion, it now houses the senior boarders, years 11 and 12.

Due to shortages in boarders during 2007 and 2008, Gillespie and MacNeil have expanded to include day students.

Other houses

Other than the boarding houses, all Knox boys are put into day houses that used to have their own locker areas in the school, although the locker areas are now done by year.

  • Adamson (Dark green) - John Adamson - a long-serving chairman of the school council.
  • Angus (Brown) - Rev Samuel Angus - a Professor of Theology at Sydney University and former member of the school council.
  • Bryden (Grey) - Dr William Bryden - the second Headmaster of the school (1939-1953). Also known as the cultural house.
  • McIlrath (Dark blue) - William McIlrath - a founder and benefactor of the school and a long-serving council member (1923-1955). His widow contributed 50,000 pounds for the construction of the school chapel in 1960, which contains a Baroque organ by Ronald Sharp.
  • McKenzie (Orange). Dr Ross McKenzie - fourth Headmaster of the school (1956-1969).
  • Montgomery (Lime green) - Ross Montgomery - a council member (1953-1970) and benefactor of the school. His major gifts included the Montgomery Building and Gilmore House.
  • Murdoch (Red) - AM Murdoch - a long-serving school council member (from 1938) and chairwoman (1855-1969)
  • Reid (Yellow) - Andrew Reid - a founder and benefactor of the school. A business leader, sole proprietor of James Hardie in 1912, he made many financial contributions to the school; he also built the Margaret Reid Home for Crippled Children in St. Ives, in memory of his late wife.
  • Sinclair (Purple) - George Sinclair - a school council member (from 1944) and chairman (1952-1955).
  • Turnbull (Light Blue) - Alex Turnbull - a founding member of the school council, serving 1923-1947, and an elder at St Margaret's Church in nearby Turramurra.

Co-curriculum

Cadet unit (KGSACU)

Knox Grammar School has an Australian Army Cadet Unit, the KGSACU. It comprises 547 members, ranging from Recruit Cadets to Cadet Under Officers. It is the largest Army Cadet Unit in the Southern Hemisphere.[citation needed] Cadet participation is compulsory from Term 1, Year 9, through to the end of Term 4, Year 9. From then on, boys may optionally continue cadets, and promotion opportunities become available.

The Cadet Unit participates in Bivouac at the end of Term 1, an Annual Field Exercise (or AFX) at the end of Term 2, and the Promotions Courses during November each year. Although in 2008 these exercises have been combined into one exercise to take place at the end of Term 1. Additionally, the KGSACU holds parades for the Old Knox Grammarians Association (OKGA), an ANZAC parade to commemorate ANZAC Day (though often, due to school holidays, not on the day itself), and a Passing Out Parade at the end of the cadet year to farewell the Year 12 members at the conclusion of their service to the unit.

The KGSACU is battalion strength, and is divided into several companies, platoons and sections. Each company consists of three platoons, except for A Company, which has four platoons.

  • A Company, for continuing cadets who are involved in advanced training and outdoor skills, and Pioneers Platoon.
  • B, C, and D Company, for recruits and their rank.
  • Headquarters Company, consisting of Operations Platoon, Administration Platoon, and Quartermaster's Platoon.
  • Support Company, Signals Platoon, Medical Platoon and Reconnaissance Platoon.

Quartermaster’s Platoon controls the stores and supplies for the unit. Medical Platoon is charged with the medical welfare of cadet. Signals Platoon operates the UnitNet (The unit communications network) and assists in communications via radios. Administration Platoon control the documentation and registration of all members of the unit. Pioneer Platoon have previously operated the rock climbing and abseiling equipment for the unit, but in the Bivouac/AFX of 2008 this was set up and operated by members of Outdoor Adventures. Instead, Pioneers Platoon created and operated the Confidence Course, which involved an obstacle course and a wombat hole. Operations Platoon is a small highly specialised group responsible for planning AFX. Reconnaissance Platoon specialises in operating in small groups. They act as the 'opposing force' to A, B, C, and D company on exercises.

Sport

Knox is a member of the Combined Associated Schools (CAS), and plays competitive sport against the five other member Schools namely, Barker College, Cranbrook School, St. Aloysius College, Trinity Grammar School and Waverley College. Trial and pre-season fixtures are played against the GPS and ISA Schools. Students may represent Knox in a variety of inter-school sporting fixtures played each Saturday throughout the term.[6]

The intra-school sporting programs includes House carnivals, Standards and Inter-School competitions open to all boys.[6]

Participating in sport at Knox is compulsory in both the Winter and Summer sporting seasons.

Notable alumni

Alumnus of Knox are known as "Old Knox Grammarians", and may elect to join the schools alumni association, the Old Knox Grammarian's Association (OKGA).[12] For a list of notable Old Knox Grammarians, see List of Old Knox Grammarians.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "School History". History & Tradition. Knox Grammar School. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  2. ^ a b "Knox Grammar School". Schools. Australian Boarding Schools' Association. 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  3. ^ "International Members". HMC Schools. The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  4. ^ "AHISA Schools". New South Wales. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "JSHAA New South Wales Directory of Members". New South Wales Branch. Junior School Heads' Association of Australia. 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  6. ^ a b c "Sport". Co-curricular. Knox Grammar School. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  7. ^ "CAS". About Knox. Knox Grammar School. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  8. ^ "Welcome". About Knox. Knox Grammar School. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  9. ^ a b "School Founders". History & Tradition. Knox Grammar School. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  10. ^ The Great Hall Campaign: Master Plan - Stage 2 (accessed 19 July 2007)
  11. ^ The Great Hall Campaign: The Campaign Target (accessed 19 July 2007)
  12. ^ "OKGA Introduction". OKGA. Knox Grammar School. Retrieved 2008-02-07.

Further reading

  • Mansfield, B. (1974). Knox, 1924-1974. Sydney: John Sands.

External links

Google Maps views

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nitrogen&oldid=244947063"