Oxygen is indispensable for human beings and all living things both plants and animals.We use oxgygen for respiration.It has the chemical symbol as O2.
Properties of oxygen:
Physical properties:Oxygen is colorless, odorless and a tasteless diatomic gas under normal conditions.It is slightly heavier than air.Oxygen is sparingly soluble in water.
Chemical properties:Oxygen is combustible.All metals and non- metals react with oxygen to form their respective oxides.Oxygen oxidizes many compounds under suitable condition.
For example, hydrogen chloride gets oxidized to chlorine.
Because of its varied properties, oxygen is used for many purposes such as in steel making, for preparing oxygen containing organic compounds, such as ethylene oxide, phenol, etc. For medical purposes where O2 is required for emergency operations and respiratory.Oxygen is also used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants and in fuel cells.
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