Oxygen O Atomic # 8 Atomic Symbol O Atomic Mass 15.999 # of Protons # of electrons # of neutrons 8 O 15.999 15.999 rounds to 16. 16 – 8 = 8

Oxygen Oxygen 8 15.999 O Likely to form ions with charge of -2 to act like the noble gas Neon.

Oxygen Oxygen 8 15.999 O Oxygen usually exists as O2 where two atoms bond together and share electrons. Oxygen is the third most common element in the sun after Hydrogen and Helium. 21% of our air is Oxygen, and it is vital to the survival of nearly all living things.

Oxygen Oxygen 8 15.999 O All animals breathe oxygen and it is then used in a chemical reaction where we break down sugar (C6H12O6) for energy. Plants take in Carbon dioxide (C02) and use the carbon in their wood releasing the oxygen as waste. Water, (H20) which contains oxygen, is essential to life as it is part of vital chemical reactions.

Oxygen Oxygen 8 15.999 O Oxygen is flammable, it combines with other elements and gives off heat. Oxygen is one of the elements we see excited in the aurora borealis or northern lights. Liquid oxygen, is also used as a fuel for rockets since it burns so clean and hot.

Oxygen Oxygen 8 15.999 O O3, or Ozone, is a very important gas in our atmosphere as it keeps harmful rays from the sun from reaching the surface of the earth. Some very stable waste products from our use of machines deplete this layer and their use is regulated to preserve ozone in the atmosphere.