Oxygen (O)

About Oxygen

Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8, meaning every atom has 8 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Nonmetal and is a gas at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 15.999 atomic mass units (u).

On the periodic table, Oxygen sits in group 16, period 2, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.

Uses of Oxygen

In daily life and industry, Oxygen is used for Respiration, combustion. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Nonmetal category.

Electron Structure of Oxygen

Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Oxygen has 2 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 6 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.

Explore Other Elements

Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.

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