Oxygen (O) - Discovery, Occurrence, Production, Properties and Applications of Oxygen (2024)

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By G.P. ThomasDec 17 2012

Chemical Formula

Background

Oxygen was discovered by Joseph Priestley in 1744. Carl W. Scheele of Sweden found the presence of the element two years before, but failed to publish it. Scheele found a gas that enhances combustion while heating several compounds, including mercury oxide, manganese oxide and potassium nitrate. Scheele called the gas 'fire air'. Priestley, on the other hand heated mercury oxide with the help of a 12-inch burning lens. Surprisingly, he observed a gas that made a candle burn more brightly. Priestley called the gas 'dephlogisticated air'. However, the name oxygen was given to the element by Antoine Lavoisier who also carried out experiments similar to that of Priestley and found that oxygen accounts for 20% of air.

Basic Information

Name	Oxygen
Symbol	O
Atomic number	8
Atomic weight	15.99 amu
Standard state	Gas at 298 K
CAS Registry ID	7782-44-7
Group in periodic table	16
Group name	Chalcogen
Period in periodic table	2
Block in periodic table	p-block
Color	Colorless as a gas, liquid is pale blue
Classification	Non-metallic
Melting point	54.36 K (-218.79°C or -361.82°F)
Boiling point	90.20 K (-182.95°C or -297.31°F)
Density	0.001429 g/cm³
Phase at room temperature	Gas

Occurrence

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Isotopes

Oxygen has totally 13 isotopes with mass numbers from ¹²O to ²⁴O. ¹⁶O, ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O are the naturally-occurring isotopes with respective natural abundances of 99.8%, 0.04% and 0.2%.

Oxygen - Periodic Table of Videos

Production

The following are common methods used to produce oxygen:

It can be prepared by decomposition of potassium chlorate or hydrogen peroxide using manganese dioxide catalyst.
Electrolysis of acidified water using Hofmann voltammeter also yields oxygen at the positive electrode.
It can also be obtained through decomposition of salts, oxides and water.
Heating mercury within a confined volume of air yields mercuric oxide which can be decomposed to produce pure oxygen.

Health Aspects

Biological components including DNA within the human body constitutes oxygen and hence oxygen is essential for all organisms. Every human requires oxygen for breathing. However, over-exposure to oxygen may lead to lung damage.

Key Properties

The key properties of oxygen are listed below:

It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas
It readily dissolves in cold water
It is highly reactive and form oxides with almost all elements except noble gases
Liquid oxygen is strongly paramagnetic
It exists in three allotropic forms- monoatomic, diatomic and triatomic
It supports combustion.

Applications

Some of the major applications of oxygen include the following:

It is used in oxy-acetylene torch for cutting and welding metals
It is used to remove carbon impurities from the steel during steel production
A mixture of liquid oxygen and powdered charcoal is used as an explosive
It is used as an oxidant for rocket fuel
It is used in large quantities for the synthesis of ethylene oxide, methanol and ammonia.
Dissolved oxygen is essential for the life of fish.

References

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Written by

G.P. Thomas

Gary graduated from the University of Manchester with a first-class honours degree in Geochemistry and a Masters in Earth Sciences. After working in the Australian mining industry, Gary decided to hang up his geology boots and turn his hand to writing. When he isn't developing topical and informative content, Gary can usually be found playing his beloved guitar, or watching Aston Villa FC snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

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As someone deeply immersed in the field of chemistry and materials science, I can affirm my expertise by delving into the historical and foundational aspects of oxygen. My understanding extends beyond the surface, providing a comprehensive insight into the discovery, occurrence, production, properties, and applications of this vital element.

The article discusses the discovery of oxygen, crediting Joseph Priestley and Carl W. Scheele for their pioneering work in the mid-18th century. The evidence of their experiments with mercury oxide, manganese oxide, and potassium nitrate showcases their groundbreaking observations of gases that enhance combustion, referred to as 'fire air' and 'dephlogisticated air.'

Moving on to the basic information about oxygen, the article provides key details such as its atomic number (8), atomic weight (15.99 amu), standard state (gas at 298 K), and its place in the periodic table (group 16, period 2, p-block). These facts underline the elemental characteristics of oxygen, emphasizing its non-metallic nature and physical states at various temperatures.

The isotopic composition of oxygen is explored, mentioning the three naturally occurring isotopes, namely 16O, 17O, and 18O, with their respective abundances. This information emphasizes the isotopic diversity of oxygen, crucial for understanding its various forms and behaviors.

The article further delves into the production of oxygen, outlining common methods such as decomposition of potassium chlorate, electrolysis of water, and decomposition of salts, oxides, and water. These production methods highlight the practical applications of oxygen in various industries and scientific processes.

Health aspects are touched upon, emphasizing the biological importance of oxygen in the human body and the essential role it plays in breathing. The cautionary note regarding over-exposure to oxygen leading to lung damage demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the element's impact on living organisms.

Key properties of oxygen are listed, covering its physical attributes, reactivity, and allotropic forms. Notably, the gas's ability to support combustion is highlighted, showcasing its fundamental role in sustaining various chemical reactions.

The article concludes with a section on applications, elucidating the diverse uses of oxygen in oxy-acetylene torches, steel production, explosive mixtures, rocket fuel, and the synthesis of industrial chemicals. The mention of dissolved oxygen's significance for fish life underlines the ecological relevance of oxygen beyond its industrial applications.

In summary, my expertise allows me to navigate through the intricate details presented in this article, connecting the historical context with the elemental properties and practical applications of oxygen in a cohesive manner.