Why is oxygen usually found as o2

While other substances such as fluorine can act as oxidizers in combustion [6] , oxygen is the most common. Oxidizers support combustion by accepting electrons from the fuel molecule, making it easier to break the chemical bonds in the reaction.

While fluorine is actually a better electron acceptor than oxygen, oxidation by fluorine is too violent to be useful for most applications. Oxygen is also more abundant and easier to find, making it the most common oxidizer for these reactions. Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Fuels. Acid Rain. Climate Change. Climate Feedback. Ocean Acidification. Rising Sea Level. Molecular oxygen Figure 1. So, in a pair, each nitrogen atom puts in three but holds back two.

Since each atom ponied up three electrons, you guessed it, this is known as a triple covalent bond. The original posting stated that carbon has twelve protons, and that adding a single proton would give it thirteen, which would thereby make it nitrogen. Adding a proton would change the total number to seven, which would transform the carbon to nitrogen. The actual element with twelve protons is magnesium, and adding a proton would then make it aluminum, which has thirteen protons.

To our casual readers, fret not; "adding a proton" is no simple matter. Alchemists were never able to turn lead into gold, and your chair is in no danger of turning into an aardvark. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

The Straight Dope homepage. Filed under:. Why is oxygen usually in the form O2? By Straight Dope Staff Jan 25, Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email.

Dear Straight Dope: Why is breathable oxygen O2? Hawk Send questions to Cecil via cecil straightdope. Why is it called a restroom, anyway? How did public libraries get started? Oxygen is one of the three components of the fire triangle. Fuel and heat are the other two components. Heat generated by the fuel sustains the fire. As long as there is enough fuel and oxygen, a fire will continue to burn. Water-based fire extinguishers work by removing heat from the fire.

Carbon dioxide and dry chemical extinguishers work by smothering the fire — cutting off the supply of oxygen. Visit Chemicool. Add to collection.

Nature of science Words we use every day can have different meanings in science. Activity ideas Explore oxygen with these activities: Putting out the fire Light a candle Elements reacting with oxygen Explore the periodic table of elements with these activities: Element rap Symbol find These articles provide background information about elements and how they are grouped: Periodic table of elements How elements are formed The essential elements Development of the periodic table.

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