Interesting Facts about the Element Oxygen

-Oxygen forms chemical bonds with almost all other elements, creating the corresponding oxides. For example, rust is actually the formation of iron oxide (Fe2O3) and Lime is actually calcium oxide (CaO).

-Oxygen on Earth actually usually exists in the form of O2 called dioxygen, but also exists as O3, ozone, mostly in the atmosphere but also exists on the surface in smog.

-The O3 in our atmosphere helps to protect the Earth from UV rays from the Sun. If the UV rays we’re able to pass through the atmosphere unhindered, life would not be able to survive. Ironically O3 on the surface is harmful to animal lung tissue.

-Oxygen is the 3rd most abundant element by mass in the Universe, behind Hydrogen and Helium, and the most abundant element by mass in the Earth’s crust.

-O2, in liquid form and in the presence of a magnetic field, forms a magnet and has been shown to be able to form a bridge, between the two poles of a magnet, capable of supporting its own weight.

-Aside from being one of the two elements that bond to form water (H2O), oxygen also dissolves into water, which is the oxygen that fish and other creatures breathe.

- At the present rate of creation, by photosynthesis, and consumption, by respiration and decay, the entire Earth’s oxygen is renewed every 2000 years.

-Humans inhale more than 6 billion tones of oxygen each year.