Question
Question: What is the position of oxygen in the periodic table?...
What is the position of oxygen in the periodic table?
Solution
Periodic table is a table of chemical elements arranged in order of atomic number, usually in rows, so that elements with similar atomic structure appear in vertical direction. Through a periodic table we can calculate the atomic number of an element or can see which element will react in a similar chemical fashion.
Complete answer:
Oxygen is an important element that is needed by most life forms on Earth to survive. It Is the third most abundant element in the universe and the most abundant element in the human body. Oxygen has 8 electrons and 8 protons.
Oxygen is the first member of the group 16, this group is also known as the oxygen family. Sulphur is the second element. It is on the right side of the periodic table making it a nonmetal, it is the 8th element on the periodic table located in the period 2. Members of group 16 have six electrons in their valence shell. They generally show a valency of 2. Oxygen shows a fixed valency of 2.
The member of group 16 shows allotropy, Oxygen also exists as the allotropes ozone (O3). Ozone exists in the upper region of the Earth’s atmosphere forming the ozone layer which helps to protect us from the harmful rays of the sun. Oxygen is a very reactive element in its pure state and can make compounds from many other elements. Oxygen readily dissolves in water.
The first four members of the oxygen family are often called chalcogens because most ores of copper are oxides or sulfides and such ores contain traces of selenium and tellurium.
Note:
Oxygen is a colorless, diatomic gas in pure form at normal temperature and pressure. However, its liquid and solid states are blue. The solid changes color as temperature is lowered and pressure is increased, eventually becoming orange, red, black, and finally metallic. Oxygen dissolves in cold water easier than in warm water that’s why the ocean is the biggest producer of oxygen.