Cornish,+Anthony

Oxygen – O

Atomic weight - 15.9994, Group- 16 Melting point - -218, electon config. - (he) 252 2p4 Boiling point- -183, valence electron – 6 Density- 1.43 g/cm3, electrons- 8 protons - 8 Neutrons - 8 Oxygen was discovered by Carle W. Sheele and Joseph Priestly in 1774. Carle heated potassium nitrate, manganese oxide, and mercury oxide, and found that they released a gas which enhanced combustion. Properties- oxygen is a colorless gas and is the third most abundant element in the universe. It is also non-toxic, and makes up 21 % of earth’s air. Uses- used as an oxidant in rocket fuel, and in methanol and ethylene oxide production. Oxygen is also used in oxygen tanks for medical purposes. These oxygen tanks can cost around $50- $100. Oxygen is produced naturally by plants using the photosynthesis process. The plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, in turn through respiration, animals convert oxygen into carbon dioxide. Unusual facts- oxygen was found by Carle W. Sheele two years before Joseph priestly officially discovered it, but he didn’t publish his findings. Chemical Reactions- H2O, CO2
 * Atomic number- 8**

Sources

[|www.chemicool.com] chemicool.comtools 2012

[|www.learner.org/interactives/periodic/periodic_table.html] Annenberg foundation 2012

[|www.periodictable.com] wolfram research 2012