8

O

Oxygen
15.999
 Historical Information

Leonardo da Vinci suggested that air consists of at least two different gases. Before then, air was felt to be an element in its own right. He was also aware that one of these gases supported both flames and life.

Basic Information Shells
  • Name:Oxygen
  • Symbol: O
  • Atomic number: 8
  • Atomic weight: 15.999
  • Standard state: gas at 298 K
  • Group in periodic table: 16
  • Group name: Chalcogen
  • Period in periodic table: 2
  • Block in periodic table: p-block
  • Classification: Non-metallic
 oxygen
Uses Trivia
  • oxy-acetylene welding
  • rocket fuel oxidant
  • steel manufacture

Oxygen in excited states is responsible for the bright red and yellow-green colours of the aurora. About two thirds of the human body, and nine tenths of water, is oxygen. The gas is colourless, odourless, and tasteless.