Top 10 interesting facts about Oxygen

Unlock the mysteries of Oxygen Element! 🌬️ Dive into the fascinating world of this life-sustaining element with our top 10 interesting facts. From its essential role in respiration to its cosmic abundance, Oxygen is more than just the air we breathe. Learn about Oxygen and its unique properties & surprising applications. 💨✨

Vital for Life: Oxygen is essential for the survival of most living organisms. It plays a key role in cellular respiration, where it is used to produce energy. All animals and plants we see around us requires oxygen for the respiration.
Abundant Element: Oxygen is colourless, odourless & tasteless and it is the third most abundant element in the universe, following hydrogen and helium. On Earth, it constitutes about 21% of the atmosphere.
Diatomic Molecule: In its most common form, oxygen exists as O₂, a diatomic molecule with two oxygen atoms bonded together.
Ozone Layer Guardian: Ozone (O₃) is a form of oxygen, which forms a protective layer in the Earth's atmosphere. This layer is known as the ozone layer. This layer is responsible for shielding life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Supports Combustion: Oxygen is a supporter of combustion, making it crucial for various combustion processes, such as burning fuel for energy production.
Medical Applications: Oxygen is used in medical settings to support patients with respiratory conditions and is a common component of medical gases.
Liquid Oxygen's Low Boiling Point: Liquid oxygen has a boiling point of -183°C (-297°F) and is used in various industries, including rocket propulsion systems. Liquid oxygen has pale blue colour.
Oxygen Bar Trend: Oxygen bars, where individuals can inhale purified oxygen for recreational purposes, became a trend in certain wellness and entertainment settings.
Oxygen Therapy in High Altitudes: In high-altitude locations or during aviation, supplemental oxygen is provided to compensate for lower oxygen levels, preventing hypoxia.
Historical Discovery: Oxygen was first discovered by scientist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1772 and independently by another scientist Joseph Priestley in 1774. Antoine Lavoisier later recognized it as an element essential for combustion and respiration.

These fascinating interesting funny science facts about oxygen, underscore the critical role oxygen plays in sustaining life, its prevalence in the Earth's atmosphere, and its diverse applications across various industries and medical fields.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Oxygen

Given below are the physical properties of Oxygen element:

Physical Property	Values/Description
Chemical Symbol	O
Atomic Number	8
Atomic Mass	15.999 u
Physical State at Room Temperature	Gas
Boiling Point	-183.0°C or -297.4°F
Melting Point	-218.79°C or -361.82°F
Density (at 0°C and 1 atm)	1.429 g/L
Colour and Odor	Colourless and odourless
Solubility in Water	Slightly soluble
Diatomic Molecule	O2
Electronegativity	3.44 (Pauling scale)
Critical Temperature	-118.6°C or -181.5°F
Critical Pressure	50.4 atm

Given below are the chemical properties of Oxygen element:

Chemical Property	Description
Chemical Symbol	O
Atomic Number	8
Valence Electrons	6
Electronegativity	3.44 (Pauling scale)
Ionization Energy	1313.9 kJ/mol (first), 3388.3 kJ/mol (second)
Common Oxidation States	-2
Common Compounds	Water (H2O), Oxides, Ozone (O3)
Reactivity	Highly reactive, especially in the presence of metals
Combustibility	Supports combustion; essential for burning.
Affinity for Electrons	High
Reaction with Metals	Forms oxides, reactions vary with different metals.
Biological Role	Essential for respiration in aerobic organisms; involved in cellular processes.
Oxygen Allotropes	Dioxygen (O2), Ozone (O3), and Tetraoxygen (O4)