NCERT Chemistry Notes: 10 interesting facts about Oxygen

BY Team Aakash Byju's

Oxygen, the most important gas, was discovered by Swedish scientist Wilhelm Sheele in 1973.

The facts about oxygen are given below:

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It was also independently discovered by the British scientist Joseph Priestley in 1974. So, Joseph Priestley is known to be the discoverer of oxygen.

Oxygen is a non-metal with an atomic number of 8 and the symbol 'O'.

The atom of an element has six valence electrons. Therefore, its valency is 2, which is 8 – 6.

It is a diatomic element of two atoms of oxygen combined to form one oxygen molecule.

Oxygen is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. Around 21% of air contains oxygen.

It is neutral. It is neither acidic nor basic. It doesn't change its colour when a litmus test is performed.

The liquid and solid state of Oxygen is pale blue in colour.

Another interesting fact of Oxygen is that it liquefies at –183°C and freezes at −218.79°C.

Oxygen is slightly soluble in water .

Oxygen doesn't burn itself but supports combustion.