 |
| Name |
oxygen |
| Symbol |
O |
| Atomic Weight |
15.9994 |
| Atomic Number |
8 |
| CAS ID |
7782-44-7 |
| Group Number |
16 |
| Group Name |
Chalcogen |
| Period Number |
2 |
| Origin of Name |
Greek, oxy genes = "acid forming." |
| Year Discovered |
1774 |
| Discovery Credits |
J. Preistley at Leeds, UK, and independently by C. W.
Scheele at Uppsala, Sweden. |
| Class |
Non-Metallic |
| Color |
Colorless as a gas, liquid is
pale blue. |
| Standard State |
Gas at 77 F & 298 K |
| Description |
Colorless, odorless gas present in the
atmosphere. Very reactive and forms oxides of
all elements except He, Ne, Ar, and Kr. Moderately soluble in water (30.8
cc per liter) at 293 K. Used in steel making, metal cutting, chemical
industry. Diagnostic tests:
The direct detection of oxygen in minerals is not practical using simple
tests. Indirect methods are generally used.
The presence of oxygen in minerals in the form of H2O or OH is
detected by using the closed-tube test and observing the formation of
colorless drops of water (H2O) on the walls of the tube when
the sample is heated.
More advanced techniques use Ramon Spectroscopy, Neutron Activation
Analysis, and Isotopic Mass Spectrometer measurements to analyze for
oxygen.
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