8 O 15.999

Oxygen

Reactive Nonmetal

Oxygen (O) is a chemical element with atomic number 8, classified as a reactive nonmetal. At room temperature it is a gas. It was discovered in 1774 by Joseph Priestley, Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

Properties

Atomic number
8
Atomic mass
15.999 u
Category
Reactive Nonmetal
Group
16
Period
2
Block
p-block
Electron configuration
[He] 2s² 2p⁴
Phase at STP
Gas
Density
1.429 g/L
Melting point
54.36 K (-218.8 °C)
Boiling point
90.2 K (-182.9 °C)
Electronegativity
3.44
Atomic radius
48 pm
Ionization energy
13.618 eV
Discovery
1774 · Joseph Priestley, Carl Wilhelm Scheele

Common uses

Breathing, combustion, steel production, water

Did you know?

Essential for most life forms and the most abundant element in Earth's crust.