🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Oxygen
• Discovered By: Carl Wilhelm Scheele & Joseph Priestley (independently)
• Year of Discovery: 1774
• Category: Non-metal
• Group: 16 (Group VIA – Chalcogens)
• State at Room Temperature: Gas (colorless and odorless) 💨

Oxygen is the most essential element for life as we know it. It’s a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 21% of the Earth’s atmosphere and is needed by most living organisms to breathe.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: O
• Atomic Number: 8
• Atomic Mass: ~15.999 u
• Valency: 2
• Electronic Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴

Oxygen has six electrons in its outer shell and readily forms compounds with nearly all other elements. It most commonly forms oxides, like H₂O (water) and CO₂ (carbon dioxide).

📘 Basic Things to Know

Oxygen is found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the rocks beneath our feet. It’s the third most abundant element in the universe and makes up about 65% of the human body by mass! 💧🫁

In nature, oxygen usually exists as O₂ (diatomic) or O₃ (ozone). O₂ is what we breathe, while O₃ protects Earth from harmful UV rays. 🌍

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Oxygen was once called “dephlogisticated air” by early scientists.
• Liquid oxygen is pale blue and extremely cold — used in rockets! 🚀
• Oxygen is very reactive — it supports combustion (things can’t burn without it). 🔥
• Plants release oxygen during photosynthesis, making it a key part of Earth’s life cycle. 🌱
• The ozone layer (made of O₃) shields us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. ☀️

🔧 Common Uses

• Breathing: Vital for humans and animals — used in medical oxygen tanks and respirators. 🫁
• Water: Found in H₂O, one of the most important molecules for life. 💧
• Combustion: Used in welding, metal cutting, and rocket fuel systems. 🔥
• Healthcare: Used in oxygen therapy, hospitals, and life support systems. 🏥
• Industry: Helps in producing steel, plastics, and chemicals.

📚 Conclusion

Oxygen is the breath of life — literally! From keeping us alive to powering engines and protecting the planet, it’s one of the most important and fascinating elements. For students, it’s a perfect example of how chemistry supports biology, environment, and industry all at once. 🌎🔬