Oxygen Properties

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What are the Properties of Oxygen? Definition of Oxygen
What is the definition of Oxygen? It is a colorless, tasteless, odourless gaseous element that constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere and is found in water, in most rocks and minerals, and in numerous organic compounds. It is capable of combining with all elements except the inert gases and is involved especially in combustion processes.

The Physical and Chemical Properties are the characteristics of a substance, like Oxygen, which distinguishes it from any other substance. Most common substances, like Oxygen, exist as States of Matter as solids, liquids, gases and plasma. Refer to the article on Oxygen Element for additional information and facts about this substance.

Oxygen Properties - What are the Physical Properties of Oxygen?
What are the Physical Properties of Oxygen? The Physical properties of Oxygen are the characteristics that can be observed without changing the substance into another substance. Physical properties are usually those that can be observed using our senses such as color, luster, freezing point, boiling point, melting point, density, hardness and odor. The Physical Properties of Oxygen are as follows:

Color : Colorless
Phase : Gas. Oxygen changes from a gas to a liquid at a temperature of -182.96°C (-297.33°F) when it takes on a slightly bluish color. Liquid oxygen can then be solidified or frozen at a temperature of -218.4°C
Odor : Oxygen is an odorless gas
Taste : A tasteless gas
Conductivity : A poor conductor of heat and electricity
Solubility : Slightly soluble in water, alcohol and some other common liquids
Density : It is denser than air. The density of oxygen is 1.429 grams per liter
Viscosity : Resistance to flow - stickiness. The viscosity is 189 millipoises (at 0°C).

*Allotropic - Allotropes are forms of an element with different physical and chemical properties occurring in two or more crystalline forms in the same physical state.

*Allotropic : There are several known allotropes including molecular oxygen O2 (aka normal atmospheric oxygen, dioxygen or triplet oxygen) and ozone (O3). Ozone is a colorless gas

Oxygen Properties - What are the Chemical Properties of Oxygen?
What are the Chemical Properties of Oxygen? They are the characteristics that determine how it will react with other substances or change from one substance to another. The better we know the nature of the substance the better we are able to understand it. Chemical properties are only observable during a chemical reaction. Reactions to substances may be brought about by changes brought about by burning, rusting, heating, exploding, tarnishing etc. The Chemical Properties of Oxygen are as follows:

Chemical Formula : O. Oxygen gas (O₂). Ozone (O₃)
Flammability : Does not burn
Combustion : Supports combustion but does not burn
Compounds : Occurs in many compounds, including water, carbon dioxide, and iron ore
Oxidation : The common reaction in which it unites with another substance is called oxidation. Oxides of some metals form peroxides by the addition of oxygen

What are the Chemical Properties of Oxygen?

Ozone : Ozone soluble in alkalis and cold water
Oxidation : A strong oxidizing agent
Reactivity : Can be produced by electric discharge in oxygen or by the action of ultraviolet radiation on oxygen in the stratosphere (where it acts as a screen for ultraviolet radiation)