What is an oxygen

Oxygen occurs in the atmosphere to about 21% by volume (23% by weight) this percentage remains constant by the operation of the photosynthesis process. Oxygen plays an important role in respiration and combustion.

Laboratory preparation of oxygen

By the decomposition of peroxide, hydrogen peroxide is decomposed into water and oxygen by catalysts such as finely divided metal and MnO2
2H2O2 - 2H2O + O2

Industrial preparation of oxygen
First removing carbon dioxide and water vapor obtain oxygen from the atmospheric air. The remaining gases are done liquified and passed into a fractionating column. Nitrogen boils off first (-196°c) and oxygen after (-183°c)

Physical properties of oxygen
Oxygen is a colorless and odorless gas. It is slightly soluble in water and has a boiling point of -183°c

Chemical properties of oxygen
Oxygen is chemically reactive, forming compounds with all other elements except noble gases. Oxygen supports combustion and nonmetals burn in oxygen to form acidic oxide. Oxygen relit growing splint (test for oxygen)

Uses of oxygen

• Oxy-acetylene flame for welding and cutting
• Making steel
  
• Combustion of fuel
• Oxygen is used to help to breathe
  
• For hospital patients
• In high-altitude flying
  
• Mountaineering
  In deep-sea diving
  
  

Classification of oxides
There are four main classes of oxides

Acidic oxide: are oxides of non-metals. When the oxide is dissolved in water, the solution is an acid e.g.SO3, CO2, K2O

Basic oxide: oxides of metals are based, they neutralize acids to form salt and water only. They are mostly insoluble in water but are soluble in acid. Basic oxides which are soluble in water form alkalis,e.g. CaO and K2O

Amphoteric oxides: some oxides neutralize both acids and alkalis examples include the oxides of Al, Zn, Sn, and PB
.
Neutral oxide: if you oxides of non-metals are neutral and do not neutralize acid or alkali. Examples include hydrogen oxide (water), carbon monoxide (CO), and dinitrogen oxide (N2O)
#whatisanoxygen #laboratorypreparationofoxygen #industrialpreparationofoxygen #physicalpropertiesofanoxygen #usesofoxygen #classificationofoxides


@Henkjan de Krijger