oxygen
Sign in to saveOxygen is a chemical element; it has the symbolO and its atomic number is8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table. It is highly reactive, a nonmetal, and a potent oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as well as with other compounds. Oxygen is the most abundant element in Earth's crust, making up almost half of the Earth's crust in the form of various oxides such as water, carbon dioxide, iron oxides, and silicates. It is also the third-most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen and helium.
AI overview
Oxygen is a highly reactive chemical element that readily combines with other elements to form compounds like water and carbon dioxide. It is extraordinarily abundant on Earth, making up nearly half of the planet's crust, and is the third-most abundant element in the entire universe.
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Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- lithophile
- Subclass of
- nonmetal
- Part of
- water
- Named after
- acid (from 1777)
- Radius
- +48
- Mass
- +15.999
- Image
- Liquid oxygen in a beaker 4.jpg
Show 9 more facts
- P910
- Category:Oxygen
- P61
- Joseph Priestley (1774)
Article
36 sectionsContents
- History of study
- Early experiments
- Phlogiston theory
- Scientific era
- Discrediting Philogiston theory
- Etymology
- Later history
- Characteristics
- Properties and molecular structure
- Allotropes
- Physical properties
- Isotopes and stellar origin
- Occurrence
- Analysis
- Biological production and role of O<sub>2</sub>
- Photosynthesis and respiration
- Living organisms
- Build-up in the atmosphere
- Extraterrestrial free oxygen
- Industrial production
- Storage
- Applications
- Medical
- Life support and recreational use
- Industrial
- Compounds
- Oxides and other inorganic compounds
- Organic compounds
- Safety and precautions
- Toxicity
- Combustion and other hazards
- See also
- Notes
- References
- General references
- External links
Oxygen is a chemical element; it has the symbolO and its atomic number is8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table. It is highly reactive, a nonmetal, and a potent oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as well as with other compounds. Oxygen is the most abundant element in Earth's crust, making up almost half of the Earth's crust in the form of various oxides such as water, carbon dioxide, iron oxides, and silicates. It is also the third-most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen and helium.
At standard temperature and pressure, two oxygen atoms will bind covalently to form dioxygen, a colorless and odorless diatomic gas with the chemical formula . Dioxygen gas currently constitutes approximately 20.95% molar fraction of the Earth's atmosphere, though this has changed considerably over long periods of time in Earth's history. The much rarer allotrope of oxygen, ozone (), strongly absorbs the UVB and UVC wavelengths and forms a protective ozone layer at the lower stratosphere, which shields the biosphere from ionizing ultraviolet radiation. However, ozone present at the surface is a corrosive byproduct of smog and thus an air pollutant.