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What is Oxygen?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Oxygen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gaseous chemical element which appears in great abundance on Earth, trapped by the atmosphere. Many people are familiar with oxygen, because it is a vital component of the respiration process; without it, most organisms will die within minutes. A number of forms of oxygen and its compounds can be found in nature. The gas can also be isolated and sold in pure form for an assortment of uses, and was first isolated and identified in 1774.

The atomic number of oxygen is eight, and it is identified by an O symbol on the periodic table of elements. In addition to being very widely distributed on Earth, it is also the third most abundant element in the universe, and it is a key catalyst in many chemical reactions. Oxidation is one such reaction, and it occurs when it mixes with other elements and compounds. Oxygen also plays a role in combustion.

Oxygen being supplied to a patient with an oxygen mask.
Oxygen being supplied to a patient with an oxygen mask.

There are several ways to extract pure oxygen. Water can be ionized, forcing the oxygen and hydrogen atoms to separate. More commonly, however, samples of air are cooled into a liquid form and then slowly heated. As the air heats, elements precipitate out in a process called fractional distillation, because different gaseous elements convert to a gas form at different temperatures. Once extracted, the gas can be bottled for use.

Tanks of oxygen for oxygen therapy.
Tanks of oxygen for oxygen therapy.

In medicine, oxygen has a number of uses. It is sometimes offered therapeutically to patients who are having difficulty breathing. It is also used in anesthesia mixtures, ensuring that the patient gets a consistent supply of the gas while unconscious. The element also plays a role in welding and industry, being combined with substances like acetylene, for example, to make welding torches.

Oxygen has an atomic number of eight and is found in great abundance on Earth.
Oxygen has an atomic number of eight and is found in great abundance on Earth.

Although pure oxygen is used medicinally and recreationally, as it brings about a state of mild euphoria, it is potentially dangerous. In high pressure environments, toxicity from overuse can damage the lungs, often quite severely. Depending on the pressure, symptoms may emerge right away, or they may take several hours to manifest, at which point it can be too late. The gas also represents a serious combustion hazard, and some compounds such as ozone and hydrogen peroxide are extremely toxic. These compounds can damage cells and DNA if they are left unchecked. Living organisms should consume a diet high in antioxidants to help avert one form of this damage, caused by free radicals in the body.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

anon273268

What is oxygen used for?

anon268647

Why is oxygen such a reactive element?

anon265797

Why do we breathe in oxygen?

anon241100

Oxygen is not dangerous.

anon229958

Oxygen concentrators are quite amazing. They help so many people with respiratory problems by concentrating air with oxygen and delivering it to them. The best part of that is that now those who couldn't go out and do things because they were confined to their home are now able to get out and move around and do the things that they weren't able to do before. I love it. Technology is amazing.

anon172405

how does oxygen deal with our blood?

anon158558

how many experiments can you do with oxygen?

anon147430

what is oxygen most commonly found in or used for?

anon122624

Where can oxygen be found?

anon109556

what are molecules and atoms?

anon86505

why can't you see or taste oxygen?

anon73095

why is oxygen not seen?

anon73094

oxygen is healthful to people.

anon69428

where do gases come from?

anon69427

carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.

hydrogen with small amount of helium is in the sun.

the sun is a star (closest star to Earth).

anon68956

why can oxygen not be seen?

anon57240

what is oxygen used for?

anon57169

what uses could oxygen have when on a different planet?

anon49282

Is oxygen dangerous?

anon47443

oxidation process is harmful or not?

anon46724

Does everyone have cancer?

anon37283

Is oxygen flammable

anon21496

how does oxygen work?

anon6651

what are the first most abundant elements of the universe? i'm just wondering... this site is useful thanks :)

littlecircle

What types of ions is oxygen likely to form?

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    • Oxygen being supplied to a patient with an oxygen mask.
      By: reflektastudios
      Oxygen being supplied to a patient with an oxygen mask.
    • Tanks of oxygen for oxygen therapy.
      By: Beth Van Trees
      Tanks of oxygen for oxygen therapy.
    • Oxygen has an atomic number of eight and is found in great abundance on Earth.
      By: nmcandre
      Oxygen has an atomic number of eight and is found in great abundance on Earth.
    • The trachea and bronchi allow oxygen to enter the lungs for breathing.
      By: arsdigital
      The trachea and bronchi allow oxygen to enter the lungs for breathing.
    • Ozone is made of three oxygen atoms.
      By: designua
      Ozone is made of three oxygen atoms.
    • The atomic number of fluorine is number 9 on the periodic table of elements, and is identified with the symbol F.
      By: jelena zaric
      The atomic number of fluorine is number 9 on the periodic table of elements, and is identified with the symbol F.