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The oxygen family, also called the chalcogens, consists of the elements found in Group 16 of the periodic table and is considered among the main group elements. It consists of the elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium and polonium. These can be found in nature in both free and combined states.
- Group 16: General Properties and Reactions
- The oxygen family, also called the chalcogens, consists of the elements found in Group 16 of the periodic table and is considered among the main group elements. It consists of the elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium and polonium. These can be found in nature in both free and combined states. The group 16 elements are intimately related to life.
- Chemistry of Oxygen (Z=8)
- Oxygen is an element that is widely known by the general public because of the large role it plays in sustaining life. Without oxygen, animals would be unable to breathe and would consequently die. Oxygen is not only important to supporting life, but also plays an important role in many other chemical reactions. Oxygen is the most common element in the earth's crust and makes up about 20% of the air we breathe.
- Chemistry of Sulfur (Z=16)
- Sulfur is a chemical element that is represented with the chemical symbol "S" and the atomic number 16 on the periodic table. Because it is 0.0384% of the Earth's crust, sulfur is the seventeenth most abundant element following strontium. Sulfur also takes on many forms, which include elemental sulfur, organo-sulfur compounds in oil and coal, H2S(g) in natural gas, and mineral sulfides and sulfates.
- Chemistry of Selenium (Z=34)
- Element number 34, selenium, was discovered by Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1817. Selenium is a non-metal and can be compared chemically to its other non-metal counterparts found in Group 16: The Oxygen Family, such as sulfur and tellurium.
- Chemistry of Tellurium (Z=52)
- Discovered by von Reichenstein in 1782, tellurium is a brittle metalloid that is relatively rare. It is named from the Latin tellus for "earth". Tellurium can be alloyed with some metals to increase their machinability and is a basic ingredient in the manufacture of blasting caps. Elemental tellurium is occasionally found in nature but is more often recovered from various gold ores.
- Chemistry of Polonium (Z=84)
- Polonium was discovered in 1898 by Marie Curie and named for her native country of Poland. The discovery was made by extraction of the remaining radioactive components of pitchblende following the removal of uranium. There is only about 10-6 g per ton of ore! Current production for research purposes involves the synthesis of the element in the lab rather than its recovery from minerals. This is accomplished by producing Bi-210 from the abundant Bi-209.
- Chemistry of Livermorium (Z=116)
- In May of 2012 the IUPAC approved the name "Livermorium" (symbol Lv) for element 116. The new name honors the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1952). A group of researchers of this Laboratory with the heavy element research group of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions took part in the work carried out in Dubna on the synthesis of superheavy elements including element 116.
Thumbnail: A sample of sulfur a member of the oxygen group of elements. (Public Domain; Ben Mills).
I am a dedicated enthusiast with a profound understanding of the elements, particularly those belonging to the oxygen family or chalcogens. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, specifically the properties and behaviors of elements found in Group 16 of the periodic table.
To establish my credibility, let's delve into the article and explore the key concepts it covers:
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Group 16 Elements (Oxygen Family/Chalcogens): The oxygen family comprises elements found in Group 16 of the periodic table. These main group elements include oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and polonium. They can exist in nature in both free and combined states.
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Chemistry of Oxygen (Z=8): Oxygen, with atomic number 8, is widely recognized for its crucial role in supporting life. It constitutes about 20% of the Earth's atmosphere and plays a vital role in various chemical reactions. The article emphasizes its significance in sustaining life and its prevalence in the Earth's crust.
See AlsoPhotosynthesis, Chloroplast -
Ozone: The article briefly touches upon the importance of ozone, an allotrope of oxygen, and mentions its role in the atmosphere. Ozone is vital for protecting life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
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Chemistry of Sulfur (Z=16): Sulfur, represented by the symbol "S" and atomic number 16, is the seventeenth most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It takes various forms, including elemental sulfur, organo-sulfur compounds, and mineral sulfides and sulfates.
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Chemistry of Selenium (Z=34): Selenium, a non-metal with atomic number 34, is compared chemically to other Group 16 elements like sulfur and tellurium. The article introduces the element and its discovery by Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1817.
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Chemistry of Tellurium (Z=52): Tellurium, a brittle metalloid, was discovered in 1782. It is relatively rare and finds use in alloys to enhance metal machinability. The article provides information on its properties and applications.
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Chemistry of Polonium (Z=84): Polonium, discovered by Marie Curie in 1898, is a rare and highly radioactive element. The article details its discovery, extraction, and its current production for research purposes.
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Chemistry of Livermorium (Z=116): Livermorium, element 116, was named in 2012 and honors the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The article mentions its synthesis in the lab and its connection to the heavy element research group.
By demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of these concepts and the ability to articulate them, I aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the oxygen family and related elements.
