Page 168 - The Periodic Table Book

8
O Oxygen

State: Gas
8
8 Streaks of light adorn the sky as
8
Discovery: 1774
The Oxygen Group This glass sphere atoms of oxygen in the air are hit by a
Forms
stream of particles blasting from the Sun.
traps pure oxygen,
which produces a
silver-blue glow
when electrified.
Pure oxygen in a glass sphere

Northern lights

Plants release
oxygen in sunlight.
Flames are
produced when
oxygen reacts with
fuel, such as wood.
Fire

WHAT IS COMBUSTION? Sunflowers
Each water
molecule has two
atoms of hydrogen Combustion is a chemical reaction that A beaker is placed over
and one of oxygen. produces heat and light. Oxygen is essential a candle, starving the
for combustion to take place. flame of oxygen.

The flame is steady The flame goes out
Water in the presence of oxygen. when the oxygen
supply is cut off.

Candle wax is made of a
flammable carbon compound,
which acts as a fuel.

Oxygen is the most common element in oxygen for survival. Animals breathe in air to
Earth’s crust. Oxygen and its compounds make collect the oxygen in it. Our bodies’ cells then use
up half of all rocks and minerals on our planet. that oxygen to break apart sugars to release
In the atmosphere, pure oxygen makes up energy, which powers our bodies. Another
around one-fifth of the air. This element is a process that involves oxygen is the burning
166 transparent gas. Life on Earth depends on reaction called combustion, in which oxygen

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