Oxygen: Difference between revisions

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|Meaning=(Symbol O.) An [[element]], atomic number 8, atomic weight 16.0; molecular oxygen, formula  O<sub>2</sub>, [[molecular weight]] 32, is the second most abundant species in the [[atmosphere]], with an  abundance of approximately 21% at [[sea level]].
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|Explanation=The atmospheric abundance of O<sub>2</sub> remains fairly constant up to about 80 km, above which  substantial [[photodissociation]] to atomic oxygen occurs. Oxygen is a prerequisite to almost all  forms of terrestrial life. Oxygen was probably released from minerals such as carbonates resulting  in the evolution from a reducing to an oxidizing atmosphere. The general tendency is for reduced  emissions from the earth's surface to be oxidized to simpler, oxygen-containing species. Atomic  oxygen is formed in the [[photolysis]] of molecular oxygen, O<sub>2</sub>; [[ozone]], O<sub>3</sub>; or [[nitrogen dioxide]],  NO<sub>2</sub>, in the atmosphere. Below about 40 km, its predominant fate is [[recombination]] with molecular  oxygen to form ozone. Above that [[altitude]] it can participate in other chemical reactions, which  may lead to ozone destruction. Both molecular and atomic oxygen have low-lying electronically  excited states that are important in the atmosphere. The <sup>1</sup>&#x00394; and <sup>1</sup>&#x003a3; states of O<sub>2</sub> are relatively long-  lived, and [[fluorescence]] from these states contributes to the [[airglow]]. The O<sup>1</sup>D state of atomic  oxygen, formed in ozone photolysis, reacts to form the [[hydroxyl radical]], which is the primary  [[oxidant]] in the atmosphere.
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== oxygen ==
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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">(Symbol O.) An [[element]], atomic number 8, atomic weight 16.0; molecular oxygen, formula  O<sub>2</sub>, [[molecular weight]] 32, is the second most abundant species in the [[atmosphere]], with an  abundance of approximately 21% at [[sea level]].</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">The atmospheric abundance of O<sub>2</sub> remains fairly constant up to about 80 km, above which  substantial [[photodissociation]] to atomic oxygen occurs. Oxygen is a prerequisite to almost all  forms of terrestrial life. Oxygen was probably released from minerals such as carbonates resulting  in the evolution from a reducing to an oxidizing atmosphere. The general tendency is for reduced  emissions from the earth's surface to be oxidized to simpler, oxygen-containing species. Atomic  oxygen is formed in the [[photolysis]] of molecular oxygen, O<sub>2</sub>; [[ozone]], O<sub>3</sub>; or [[nitrogen dioxide]],  NO<sub>2</sub>, in the atmosphere. Below about 40 km, its predominant fate is [[recombination]] with molecular  oxygen to form ozone. Above that [[altitude]] it can participate in other chemical reactions, which  may lead to ozone destruction. Both molecular and atomic oxygen have low-lying electronically  excited states that are important in the atmosphere. The <sup>1</sup>&#x00394; and <sup>1</sup>&#x003a3; states of O<sub>2</sub> are relatively long-  lived, and [[fluorescence]] from these states contributes to the [[airglow]]. The O<sup>1</sup>D state of atomic  oxygen, formed in ozone photolysis, reacts to form the [[hydroxyl radical]], which is the primary  [[oxidant]] in the atmosphere.</div><br/> </div>
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Latest revision as of 04:32, 27 March 2024

(Symbol O.) An element, atomic number 8, atomic weight 16.0; molecular oxygen, formula O2, molecular weight 32, is the second most abundant species in the atmosphere, with an abundance of approximately 21% at sea level.

The atmospheric abundance of O2 remains fairly constant up to about 80 km, above which substantial photodissociation to atomic oxygen occurs. Oxygen is a prerequisite to almost all forms of terrestrial life. Oxygen was probably released from minerals such as carbonates resulting in the evolution from a reducing to an oxidizing atmosphere. The general tendency is for reduced emissions from the earth's surface to be oxidized to simpler, oxygen-containing species. Atomic oxygen is formed in the photolysis of molecular oxygen, O2; ozone, O3; or nitrogen dioxide, NO2, in the atmosphere. Below about 40 km, its predominant fate is recombination with molecular oxygen to form ozone. Above that altitude it can participate in other chemical reactions, which may lead to ozone destruction. Both molecular and atomic oxygen have low-lying electronically excited states that are important in the atmosphere. The 1Δ and 1Σ states of O2 are relatively long- lived, and fluorescence from these states contributes to the airglow. The O1D state of atomic oxygen, formed in ozone photolysis, reacts to form the hydroxyl radical, which is the primary oxidant in the atmosphere.

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