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Oxygen Facts & Worksheets

Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O and the atomic number 8.

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Oxygen is the chemical element in the periodic table of elements with the symbol O and atomic number 8.

See the fact file below for more information on Oxygen, or you can download our 26-page Oxygen worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DISCOVERY

  • Humans have recognized the presence of oxygen and its sentinel role in respiration for less than five centuries. The discovery of oxygen has been called “the most important discovery in scientific history.” 
  • At least three key individuals (Lavoisier, Scheele, and Priestley) have been identified by science historians as being responsible for the discovery of oxygen in the late 18th century. 
  • In 1774,  Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in England, while  Carl W. Scheele discovered oxygen in Sweden in 1771, although his findings were not published until 1777.
  • Normal oxygen is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. The word oxygen is derived from a combination of two Greek words: oxys, which means acid, and genes, which means “formation.”
  • The element oxygen was named by Antoine Lavoisier. Lavoisier conducted the same experiments as Priestley to learn more about the gas, and he discovered that air contains about 20% oxygen. He discovered that oxygen chemically combines with the burning substance during combustion.

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Oxygen is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas. It dissolves poorly in water and boils at -183 degrees Celsius. 
  • The color of oxygen in liquid form is light blue, while the element forms dark blue crystals in solid form. Oxygen melts at a temperature of -218.7 degrees Celsius.
  • On the periodic table, oxygen is a nonmetal chalcogen gas represented by the letter O.
  • Although oxygen is not poisonous, it can cause convulsions at high pressures. Cold water dissolves oxygen more easily than warm water.
  • When heated, oxygen enters a reaction with a variety of simple substances (metals and nonmetals), which results in the formation of oxides as a result of inter­ac­tion. The interaction of chem­i­cal ele­ments with oxy­gen is the ox­i­da­tion reaction. 
  • Oxygen could also occur through plants that undergo photosynthesis. Photosynthesis converts sunlight energy into oxygen and hydrogen. 
  • The oxygen is released into the atmosphere, and the hydrogen reacts with carbon dioxide to form biomass. 
  • All other forms of life require oxygen for respiration and cellular respiration. Aquatic plants produce oxygen for all life forms in water in aquatic systems.

USES OF OXYGEN

  • Oxygen is critical to the survival of life in the universe, wherein most living things require oxygen. 
  • Oxygen constitutes the most abundant element in the Earth‘s crust, with 46 percent of the total mass. The proportion of oxygen present in the atmosphere is 21 percent by volume and 89 percent by weight.

Biological Production

  • Oxygen is the second-most prevalent gas in the atmosphere, as well as the most abundant element in the human body. It is required for most life forms on Earth and is also a component of biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.
  • One application of oxygen in biological production is oxygenic photosynthesis, which involves the removal of electrons from water to produce molecular oxygen. 
  • This waste byproduct of photosynthesis has gradually transformed in the atmosphere over time, eventually reaching the current level of around 20%.

Industrial Production

  • In industrial production, oxygen is primarily used for metal melting, welding, and cutting. Other applications include the manufacture of iron and steel in blast furnaces using hot oxygen. It also eliminates carbon impurities.
  • Antifreeze and polyester polymers require oxygen to be produced. Following that, polymers are used to make plastics and fabrics.
  • Heat is used to break down hydrocarbon compounds, which are then degraded with oxygen. This is used to generate combustion, which produces water and carbon dioxide as well as the hydrocarbons acetylene, propylene, and ethylene.
  • In sewage treatment and water-purification plants, oxygen is used. It is forced through water in order to boost the development of bacteria that digests waste in the water.

Medical

  • Oxygen is also used for medical purposes, which includes supplying it in packed cylinders to patients who struggle to breathe, or it is used by mountaineers at high altitudes, underwater divers, astronauts walking in space, and others.
  • Oxygen masks are used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including hypoxemia, asthma, and heart and vascular disease. Furthermore, oxygen gas can be used to kill bacteria that cause gangrene as well as to treat carbon monoxide poisoning.

Other applications

  • In a variety of chemical industries, oxygen is used to produce nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and other compounds and acids. 
  • Oxygen in its most reactive form, namely, ozone, is used in a variety of chemical reactions to speed up the reaction and ensure complete oxidation of the compounds.

COMPOUNDS

  • One of the most active chemical elements is oxygen. The oxygen-oxygen bond is relatively strong in diatomic oxygen, but once broken, the atomic oxygen created readily reacts with the vast majority of elements.
  • In most cases, the reaction of oxygen with another element results in the formation of a binary compound known as an oxide. The process is known as oxidation.
  • Oxygen is highly reactive and will form oxides with all other elements.
  • A compound formed by the combustion of oxygen and another element is known as an oxide. Metals produce metal oxides, whereas nonmetals produce nonmetal oxides. 
  • Water is by far the most abundant compound on the planet, and it is possibly the most important of all oxides. It consists of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to a single oxygen atom.
  • In the majority of cases, the reaction between oxygen and another element is extensively exothermic. One of the most well-known of these reactions is the one that occurs between carbon and oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
  • A variety of compounds react with oxygen. At high temperatures, hydrocarbons, for example, react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor. Inorganic materials, on the other hand, react slowly with oxygen. 

SAFETY

  • Oxygen is a non-flammable gas, but it promotes combustion. Materials burn faster in an oxygen-rich environment. Remember, too much oxygen can be just as dangerous as not enough oxygen.
  • It is safe to keep the oxygen at least 3 meters away from any open flame or heat source, such as candles or a gas stove, or anything that could spark. 
  • Avoid using flammable products such as cleaning fluids, paint thinner, or aerosol sprays in the same room where oxygen is being used. While wearing oxygen, do not use any electrical appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, heating pads, or electric razors. 
  • It is also recommended to use 100% cotton bedding when wearing oxygen while sleeping to reduce static electricity.
  • Keep oxygen cylinders upright and secure within a well-ventilated vicinity, away from open flames, heat sources, and direct sunlight. Do not cover loose tanks with a cloth or allow them to stand or lean in an upright position.

Oxygen Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Oxygen across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Oxygen, a chemical element with the symbol O, and the atomic number 8.

Oxygen Worksheets
Oxygen Worksheets
Oxygen Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  • Oxygen Facts
  • Peri-O-dic Table
  • The Men Behind the Discovery
  • Oxygen Cycle
  • Oxygen Compounds
  • We Need Oxygen!
  • The Breathable Air
  • Oxy-care Poster
  • Low on Oxygen
  • Uses of Oxygen
  • Quick Review

Frequently Asked Questions

What is oxygen?

Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that makes up about 21% of the Earth’s atmosphere.

What are the uses of oxygen?

Oxygen is essential for human survival as it is required for the process of respiration in which our cells convert glucose into energy. It is also used in many industrial processes such as steel production, water treatment, and as a medical treatment for conditions such as emphysema and asthma.

What are the effects of low oxygen levels?

Low oxygen levels, also known as hypoxia, can have serious effects on the body such as shortness of breath, confusion, and unconsciousness. In extreme cases, hypoxia can lead to brain damage or death.

How can oxygen levels be measured?

Oxygen levels can be measured by using a device called a pulse oximeter, which is a small clip that attaches to a finger and measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. Blood gas analysis is another method to measure oxygen levels, but it’s done in a lab by taking a blood sample.

How can low oxygen levels be treated?

Treatment for low oxygen levels depends on the underlying cause. Oxygen therapy, which delivers oxygen directly to the lungs, is often used to treat hypoxia. If the cause is a respiratory problem, such as emphysema or asthma, bronchodilators or steroids may be used to open up constricted airways. In some cases, supplemental oxygen may be required for an extended period of time.

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Link will appear as Oxygen Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 26, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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