Question

nitrogen cycle
how does nitrogen get moved from the atmosphere to the earths soil?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify nitrogen - fixing processes

Nitrogen in the atmosphere ($N_2$) is inert. Nitrogen - fixing bacteria in soil or root nodules of legumes can convert $N_2$ into ammonia ($NH_3$) through biological nitrogen fixation. Lightning also causes a chemical reaction in the atmosphere that converts $N_2$ to nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), which can be washed down to the soil by rain.

Step2: Summarize the main ways

The main ways nitrogen moves from the atmosphere to the soil are through biological nitrogen fixation by bacteria and through the action of lightning followed by precipitation.

Answer:

Nitrogen moves from the atmosphere to the soil through biological nitrogen - fixing by bacteria (e.g., in root nodules of legumes) and through the formation of nitrogen oxides by lightning followed by rain - wash.