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What is Oxygen? - Origin / Meaning of the name Oxygen
The
name originates
from the Greek 'oxys' for "sharp, acid", because oxygen
was believed to be the key constituent in the formation of
acids, and the Greek 'gen or genes' for "forming". French chemist Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier originally thought
that oxygen was an acid producer because by burning phosphorus
and sulfur and dissolving them in water, he was able to produce
acids.
What is Oxygen? Periodic Table Group and
Classification of the Oxygen Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a gas. Oxygen
is classified
as an element in the 'non-metals' section which can be located in
groups 14,15 and 16 of the Periodic Table. Non-metallic elements
exist, at room temperature, in two of the three states of matter:
gases (Oxygen, Hydrogen &
Nitrogen) and solids (Carbon,
Phosphorus,
Sulfur and
Selenium).
For additional facts and information refer to
Oxygen Properties.
What is Oxygen? - Occurrence of the Oxygen Element
Oxygen is by far the most
abundant of all the elements. It occurs both in the free and in
the combined state. In the free state it occurs in the air, 100
volumes of dry air containing about 21 volumes of oxygen. In the
combined state it forms eight ninths of water and nearly one
half of the rocks composing the earth's crust. It is also an
important constituent of the compounds which compose plant and
animal tissues; for example, about 66% by weight of the human
body is oxygen.
Oxygen constitutes 21 percent of
the atmosphere.
Found in water, in most rocks and minerals, and in numerous
organic compounds
Oxygen comprises about 87% by weight of the oceans as H2O
- water
What is Oxygen? - Importance
of oxygen
1. Oxygen is essential to life. Among living organisms only certain minute
forms of plant life can exist without it. In the process of respiration the
air is taken into the lungs where a certain amount of oxygen is absorbed by
the blood. It is then carried to all parts of the body, oxidizing the
worn-out tissues and changing them into substances which may readily be
eliminated from the body. The heat generated by this oxidation is the source
of the heat of the body. The small amount of oxygen which water dissolves
from the air supports all the varied forms of aquatic animals.
2. Oxygen is also essential to decay. The process of decay is really a kind
of oxidation, but it will only take place in the presence of certain minute
forms of life known as bacteria. Just how these assist in the oxidation is
not known. By this process the dead products of animal and vegetable life
which collect on the surface of the earth are slowly oxidized and so
converted into harmless substances. In this way oxygen acts as a great
purifying agent.
3. Oxygen is also used in the treatment of certain diseases in which the
patient is unable to inhale sufficient air to supply the necessary amount of
oxygen.
Medical Uses of Oxygen - Health and Treatments
Interesting information is contained in the following table of Medical uses
of Oxygen, Health and Treatments.
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Medical uses of Oxygen - Health and Treatments |
|
Medical
Disorders |
Medical
Symptoms |
Uses of
Oxygen & Treatments |
|
Hypoxia / Hypoxemia |
Levels of oxygen in the
blood are below normal or life-threatening |
Compressed Gaseous
Oxygen |
|
Asthma, Bronchitis,
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) |
Inability to inhale
sufficient air |
Supplemental oxygen
therapy |
|
Decompression sickness
(the bends), carbon monoxide poisoning, non-healing wounds |
Various
symptoms according to the type illness and health issue |
Hyperbaric Oxygen
treatment |
|
Medical
Disorders |
Medical
Symptoms |
Uses of
Oxygen & Treatments |
A useful reference
providing information regarding the medical uses of Oxygen, associated
health issues and disorders and treatments using oxygen.
Medical Uses of Oxygen - Oxygen
Therapy
Ozone or Oxygen therapy is far more
widely accepted in Europe than in the United States. Recent European
research in ozone or oxygen therapy includes studies in the oxygenation of
resting muscles, the treatment of vascular disorders, and the relief of back
pain from herniated lumbar disks. In respiratory therapy oxygen is
administered to increase the amount circulating in the blood.
Lack of Oxygen - Symptoms
and Effects caused by lack of Oxygen
Lack of oxygen, as experienced during
ascent to high altitudes or in certain illnesses, may bring on a variety of
symptoms of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen. A number of poisons, such as cyanide
and carbon monoxide, can disrupt the oxygen distribution system of the body.
Such disruption occurs also in various illnesses, such as anemia and
diseases of lungs, heart, kidneys and the liver.
Associated Uses of Oxygen
Oxidizer
Rocket propulsion
Welding
Oxygen sensors
Medicine and Health Care -
Oxygen masks
Oxygen Tanks
Oxygen concentrator
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 1%
% in Sun 0.9%
% in Meteorites 40%
% in Earth's Crust 46%
% in Oceans 86%
% in Humans 61% |
