Let’s explore Oxygen (O), an incredibly important chemical element in our everyday lives.
1. Definition of Oxygen (O):
Oxygen is a chemical element in the periodic table with the symbol O and the atomic number 8. Oxygen belongs to the Chalcogen group and is a non-metal. It is the third most common atom in the universe and the first element on Earth, accounting for approximately 49.2% of the Earth’s mass.
1.1 Names of Oxygen:
Common name: Oxygen
English name: Oxygen
1.2 The atomic weight of Oxygen is 16.
1.3 The atomic mass of Oxygen is 15.999.
1.3.1 Molecular structure: Oxygen generally exists as O2 molecules in the air.
1.4 Ion structure: Oxygen can form an anion with two valence electrons (O2-).
2. Properties of Oxygen:
2.1 Physical properties of Oxygen: Oxygen in standard conditions is a gas, colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Its pH level cannot be measured as it is not a solution.
2.2 Chemical properties of Oxygen: Oxygen has the ability to combine with most other elements to form compounds, a process known as oxidation.
3.
Common chemical equations involving Oxygen, such as the reaction of metal with oxygen to form a metal oxide (2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO), the reaction of acid with oxygen (2H2SO4 + O2 -> 2H2O + 2SO3)…
4.
Production of Oxygen:
4.1 In a laboratory, Oxygen is often produced by chemical decomposition, such as the decomposition of bleach (2H2O2 -> 2H2O + O2) -> .
4.2 Industrial Oxygen production typically uses the method of distilling liquid air.