The oxygen is one of the chemicals most important found in the periodic table. It is an element composed of two atoms of the same element and whose representative number is 8.

This element constitutes a fundamental piece for life on planet earth, being part of living beings, water, oxides and almost all organic substances and acids. Oxygen is a gas that has no color, odor, or shape and is considered quite reactive. This element is vital for life on the planet.

Almost all chemical elements , except inert gases, form compounds with oxygen. Among the most abundant binary oxygen compounds are water, H2O, and silica, SiO2; main component of sand. Of the compounds that contain more than two elements, the most abundant are silicates, which make up the majority of rocks and soils. Other compounds that are abundant in nature are calcium carbonate (limestone and marble), calcium sulfate (gypsum), aluminum oxide (bauxite) and various iron oxides, which are used as a source of the metal.

Chemical properties

• Atomic Number: 8
• Valencia: 2
• Oxidation state: -2
• Electronegativity: 3.5
• Covalent Radius: 0.73
• Ionic Radius: 1.40
• Atomic radio: –
• Electronic configuration: 1s22s22p4
• First ionization potential (eV): 13.70
• Atomic mass (g / mol): 15.9994
• Density (kg / m3): 1,429
• Boiling point (ºC): -183
• Melting point (ºC): -218.8
• Discoverer: Joseph Priestly 1774

How is it obtained

Oxygen can be obtained in two ways, namely:

• Naturally: This chemical element is generated naturally through plants and nature through the process of photosynthesis.
• Artificially: it is the one that is processed and used to be used with people who have respiratory problems, or for surgical interventions where the patient is asleep.

Importance of oxygen

This element is considered of vital importance since life on the planet depends on it, that is, through oxygen various aspects and relationships are managed on the planet such as animal, plant and human life . The decrease in oxygen would seriously affect the existence of these elements; In this sense, it is important to note that in the case of the human body , the lack of oxygen in the brain or in the blood is known as hypoxemia, which is nothing more than the decrease in oxygen in the tissue and anoxia is considered as the almost absolute lack of oxygen in the body leading to its death.

Examples of how to consume and preserve oxygen in our lives

1. Conserving plant life.
2. Performing deep breathing and meditation exercises.
3. Avoid closed spaces where chemical elements are stored that prevent the correct circulation of oxygen.
4. Sow
5. Work out