I need help in my chemistry class,
what are simple chemical and physical properties of oxygen?

One Response to “Help in Chemistry class: What are simple chemical and physical properties of Oxygen?”

1. mathematicko on November 22nd, 2008 9:15 pm

   first source:
   Oxygen is more soluble in water than nitrogen; water contains approximately 1 molecule of O2 for every 2 molecules of N2, compared to an atmospheric ratio of approximately 1:4. The solubility of oxygen in water is temperature-dependent, and about twice as much (14.6 mg·L−1) dissolves at 0 °C than at 20 °C (7.6 mg·L−1). At 25 °C and 1 atm of air, freshwater contains about 6.04 milliliters (mL) of oxygen per liter, whereas seawater contains about 4.95 mL per liter.At 5 °C the solubility increases to 9.0 mL (50% more than at 25 °C) per liter for water and 7.2 mL (45% more) per liter for sea water.

   Oxygen condenses at 90.20 K (−182.95 °C, −297.31 °F), and freezes at 54.36 K (−218.79 °C, −361.82 °F). Both liquid and solid O2 are clear substances with a light sky-blue color caused by absorption in the red (in contrast with the blue color of the sky, which is due to Rayleigh scattering of blue light). High-purity liquid O2 is usually obtained by the fractional distillation of liquefied air;Liquid oxygen may also be produced by condensation out of air, using liquid nitrogen as a coolant. It is a highly-reactive substance and must be segregated from combustible materials.

   second source:
   Oxygen can exist in a number of physical forms. Most commonly it is found as a diatomic O-O gas and is called molecular oxygen (O2) or dioxygen. The gas exists as a triplet state but the singlet oxygen can also be formed and is more reactive. This gas can be liquefied at low temperatures to produce a blue liquid oxygen (LOX) and cooled further produces a blue solid. After electrical discharge or photolysis Oxygen may also form the triatomic ozone (O3) and under very extreme conditions atomic oxygen (O•) is produced

   Molecular Oxygen (O2) is a colourless, odorless and tasteless gas. It is denser than air and is only slightly soluble in water. It is a poor conductor of heat and readily supports combustion. Normal atmospheric oxygen (O2) is diatomic with a molecular weight of 32.9988. Oxygen is only slightly soluble in aqueous solution, dissolving to about 0.04 g/L at 25°C. Molecular oxygen is also special in that it exists as a triplet ground state with two unpaired electrons (biradical).

   When cooled below its boiling point (-183°C) O2 becomes a pale blue liquid (LOX); when cooled still further the liquid solidifies, retaining its colour (ozone is also blue). The blue colour is due to the electronic properties of O2 which also impart its paramagnetic properties. Three stable isotopes of oxygen exist with mass numbers 16, 17, and 18. Liquid oxygen is also potentially hazardous about flames and sparks as it will greatly accelerate combustion

   Oxygen is most commonly reacted as an oxide forming dihydrogen oxide: H2O (i.e. water). The formation of water is a thermodynamic endpoint (no further reactions proceed) and water has accumulated on the planet in vast quantities. The water-oxygen geochemical cycle is one of the most important cycles for life on this planet.

   Other oxides are found in the earth along with silicates and make up about 45% of the earths crust.

   Ozone gas (O3) is often generated as an undesirable pollutant in smog and industrial emissions. It is also produced for sterilisation and for cleaning and detoxification purposes and is s a “green” alternative to chlorine. Ozone in the atmosphere is a critical component for filtering damaging UV radiation. Pure ozone gas is a bluish colour. At low temperatures (-111.9°C) liquid ozone forms as a blue-black liquid and if generated is a potentially explosive and unstable oxidant. At lower temperatures (-193°C) the solid ozone is formed as a bluish-black solid.

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