Oxygen is one of the gases that makes up the Earth's atmosphere.
Oxygen is the chemical element with atomic number 8 that makes up about one-fifth of Earth's atmospheric air in its molecular form O2 . In this molecular form that is composed of two atoms of this element, oxygen is a gas .
Oxygen is a key element of organic chemistry, as it is part of water (H2O) , oxides, living beings and almost all acids and organic substances. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, which is very reactive and is essential for breathing .
Uses and applications of oxygen
In Medicine, Industry or Science, oxygen becomes a fundamental and indispensable element for their development. Thus, for example, in the first area mentioned, the chemical element in question is used to improve the health and condition of patients who need it because they are suffering from certain pathologies or diseases.
In this way, for example, oxygen supplements are used in medical centers to relieve or treat people who are suffering from pneumonia, emphysema or even various types of heart failure.
In the case of industry, as we have mentioned previously, the chemical element in question is also used. More specifically, one of the most widespread uses of it is in the field of iron smelting to obtain steel. However, it is also used to obtain textile products such as polyester or even antifreeze.
In medicine, oxygen is often administered to certain patients to relieve symptoms or treat certain diseases.
Discovery of this chemical element
The discovery of oxygen occurred between 1772 and 1773 by the Swedish chemist, of German origin, Karl Wilhelm Scheele ( 1742-1786 ).
Around that same time, the British Joseph Priestley ( 1733-1804 ) also discovered oxygen independently, while the Frenchman Antoine Lavoisier ( 1743-1794 ) was the first to publish a study on this chemical element, in 1777 .
Oxygen generation and its importance for life
O2 is generated from the photosynthesis process of plants and is used by animals and humans in respiration. Oxygen can be found in liquid form in laboratories and in solid form at temperatures below -219º.
The abnormal decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood is known as hypoxemia . Hypoxia , for its part, is the decrease in the diffusion of oxygen in the tissues. As for anoxia , it is the almost total or absolute lack of oxygen. Anoxia can lead to the death of the organism.
The term in colloquial language
In addition to all of the above, we cannot ignore the existence in our colloquial language of some expressions that make use of the term oxygen that we are now analyzing.
This would be the case of the expression “oxygen balloon” , with which we try to express that a person in a complicated or very compromised moment in their life has found either relief or an element that allows them to “breathe”. and get out of the situation in which you are immersed.