How to Find Out More About Oxygen

Oxygen, the eighth element in the periodic table, comprises 1 percent of all matter in the universe. Oxygen is a major component of air due to photosynthesis by plants and is necessary for aerobic respiration in animals. This element has much to offer students not only of science but also of history, and a little research will yield some little-known facts about this well-known element.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A periodic chart

1. Read up on Greek roots and history. Look for information on why oxygen is named for the Greek words "oxys," meaning acid, and "genes," meaning forming. Be sure to look for facts about how, at the time it was discovered, it was believed all acids contained oxygen.
2. Look for information about why the discovery of oxygen is usually credited in 1774 to Joseph Priestley, who published his findings in 1775. The Swedish pharmacist Carl Wilhelm Scheele also identified oxygen as a distinct substance sometime before 1773 but did not publish until 1777.
3. Read about chemistry to understand why oxygen is a diatomic gas (O2) on Earth and comprises 21 percent of our atmosphere. Study world economics to see that oxygen production is not restricted to any particular location. Research chemical manufacturing techniques to learn how oxygen is obtained commercially by the liquefaction and fractional distillation of air.
4. Search chemistry and physics Web sites and books to learn about the best-known aspect of oxygen—it is necessary for aerobic respiration in animals. Make sure to look for facts about oxygen's appearance, reactivity and other chemical and physical properties.
5. Look for information on chemical properties to understand why oxygen is used in a wide variety of chemical production and applications due to its reactivity. Study industrial applications, including the fact that the largest single use of gaseous oxygen is in the enrichment of steel blast furnaces. Research additional uses to learn how liquid oxygen is used as rocket fuel. Oxygen is used in a variety of organic compounds and plays a role in most biological processes.
6. Search for information on biochemistry to learn why oxygen is found in a variety of organic compounds and plays a role in most biological processes.

Tips & Warnings

• Concentrated oxygen is a fire and explosion hazard when a fuel is present. This is also true of many compounds of oxygen. Oxygen can be toxic under pressure. Highly oxidative compounds can cause chemical burns.