Oxygen-Discovery, Properties, And Applications

Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group on the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as well as with other compounds. By mass, oxygen is the third-most abundant element in the universe, after hydrogen and helium.

Property	Value
Name	Oxygen
Symbol	O
Atomic number	8
Relative atomic mass (Ar)	Colourless as a gas, the liquid is pale blue
Standard state	Gas at 298 K
Appearance	Group in the periodic table
Classification	Non-metallic
Block in the periodic table	16
Group name	Chalcogen
Period in periodic table	2
Period in the periodic table	p
Shell structure	2.6
CAS Registry	7782-44-7

Discovery

Oxygen was discovered independently by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, in Uppsala, in 1773 or earlier, and Joseph Priestley in Wiltshire, in 1774, but Priestley is often given priority because his work was published first.

Physical Properties

Oxygen is a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature. It has a boiling point of -183 degrees Celsius and a melting point of -218.79 degrees Celsius. Oxygen has two allotropes: dioxygen (O2) and ozone (O3).

Chemical Properties

Oxygen is a highly reactive element and forms oxides with almost all elements as well as with other compounds. It is an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements, as well as with other compounds. Oxygen can combine with elements at room temperature and is a component of various compounds such as water, oxides, acids, and organic compounds.

Electronic Configuration of Oxygen

Oxygen (O), essential for life and combustion, has 8 electrons. Its electronic configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁴. This configuration shows 2 electrons each in the first two shells (1s and 2s),4 electrons filling the next shell (2p).

Electronic Configuration of Oxygen via Bohr Model

Electronic Configuration of Oxygen via Aufbau Principle

Facts

• Oxygen makes up about 21% of the Earth’s atmosphere by volume.
• Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe.
• Oxygen is essential for the process of respiration in all living organisms.

Applications

Oxygen has many applications in industry, medicine, and other fields. Some common uses of oxygen include:

• Medical oxygen: Oxygen is used in hospitals to treat patients with respiratory distress or hypoxia (low oxygen levels).
• Combustion: Oxygen is used in combustion processes to support combustion and to improve fuel efficiency.
• Welding and metal cutting: Oxygen is used in welding and metal cutting to provide a high-temperature, oxidizing flame.
• Ozone generation: Oxygen is used to generate ozone, which is used for disinfecting water and air.
• Rocket propellants: Oxygen is used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants.