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oxygen (elemental) [O]
Also see molecular oxygen (O2) From the Greek oxy genes meaning acid forming. The name derived from an inaccurate belief of Lavoisier that oxygen was needed to form all acids. Discovery generally credited to English chemist Joseph Priestly in 1774.
Occurrence:
1) makes up about 21% of the atmosphere by volume
2) found combined in water, in most rocks & minerals, & numerous organic compounds
3) ozone (O3) is a reactive gas in the upper atmosphere & in smog
Characteristics:
1) colorless tasteless odorless gas
2) pale blue as a liquid or solid
2) capable of combining with all elements except the inert gases
Uses:
1) active in physiological processes
2) essential for respiration
2) involved in combustion processes
Related
O2 (molecular oxygen)
periodic table
Specific
oxygen-15
General
chemical element
Properties
SIZE: AW = 15.999
atomic number
VALUE: 8
VALENCE: HE 2S2 2P4
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM cid=977
References
- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-
Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
- Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003