Oxygen is the most common chemical element found on or in Earth. Your doctor may have you do some tests to see how well your lungs work. Humans need oxygen to provide nutrients to all of the cells in their bodies. Oxygen makes up about 21 percent of the gas in the atmosphere. During cellular respiration, cells use oxygen to break down sugar to produce ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. Those who spend time at high altitudes are also susceptible. 1. You will also find oxygen tanks in aircraft and submerge vessels. It comprises 22 percent of air in the atmosphere and is part of the air that people breathe. Commercial preparation involves fractional distillation of air and liquefaction and water electrolysis. The tank can be set to release only the amount of oxygen you need as you breathe. The oxygen level is augmented until the red hot component has oxidized. Answer. Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe and makes up over 20% of the earth’s atmosphere. Our cells need oxygen in order to be able to produce energy from the food we eat. However, toxicity can take place in normal atmospheric pressure. They release oxygen. The gas is capable of generating temperatures of 3000 C and 2800 C. This is required for oxy-hydrogen and oxy-acetylene blow torches. This gas is also used in polyester polymers and antifreeze production. But if you have lung disease or other medical conditions, you may not get enough of … Kevin Beck holds a bachelor's degree in physics with minors in math and chemistry from the University of Vermont. Oxygen tanks hold a defined amount of oxygen and will run out. Molecular oxygen, or oxygen gas, has the formula O_2_ and is therefore diatomic (has two atoms). Oxygen, discovered in 1774 by Joseph Priestly, is necessary for combustion, and oxygen is therefore used in metallurgy, which requires extremely high temperatures to bring about the required chemical reactions. 0 0 1. Oxygen is paramagnetic whether it is gaseous, liquid or solid. Do not put the oxygen tubing under clothing, bed covers, furniture, or carpets. Compressed oxygen holds oxygen in a metal cylinder (tank) under pressure. This condition takes place when someone breathes excessive pure oxygen. Oxygen is element number 8 on the periodic table of elements. It is surprising to me that many people appear not to understand that when a fuel burns, it is because the fuel is combining with oxygen. Oxygen flow meters monitor how much oxygen is being dispensed to a user. When too much oxygen is inhaled, humans will experience difficulty breathing. Oxygen is used as an electron acceptor in mitochondria to generate chemical energy. Asked by Wiki User. Humans can only breathe 21 percent oxygen. Toxicity can occur when a diver goes in deep enough. It is also used in reducing metal ores. Oxygen is needed by all living organisms. Common uses of oxygen and its allotropes are varied. A high temperature flame is used to melt them by heating the junction. Flowers don't use oxygen. The same oxygen gas is used to treat victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms include twitching, dizziness and nausea. Ozone O 3 is an allotrope. Advanced oxygen flow metering systems can also indicate whether a line has blockage or if a tank of oxygen is unfit for use. The body systems involved with oxygen include literally all of them, for all living human cells require a constant supply of oxygen or else they die within minutes. This element is found in the human body, the Sun, oceans and the atmosphere. Oxygen is a part of water, which all known life needs to live. In addition to helping prevent heart failure in people with severe lung diseases, such as COPD, supplemental oxygen has many benefits. This gas is required to produce energy in industrial processes, generators and ships. Your medical equipment company will need to replace the used ones with new filled cylinders. It is used in many different industries, including in petroleum and chemical businesses. They use the Sun's light to get hydrogen from water, giving off oxygen. But as I can understand from the question that you might be looking for why oxygen is directly injected inside the stream of water that converts into steam. Oxygen comprises a fifth of air volume, two-thirds of the human body and 87% water. What, fundamentally, is oxygen, and just how handy is this element in everyday life, in addition to being the gas that literally keeps you laughing (and talking and breathing)? The main focus of this lesson is to review the basics of respiration (breathing) and to teach students the importance of oxygen to the human body. The word oxidation is defined as “cause to combine with oxygen”. Some mining companies use it to destroy rocks. Be the first to answer! Oxygen can be cooled under boiling point. Oxygen in the air is known as diatomic gas. Of all the uses of oxygen, sustaining life is the most important. Oxygen is pumped through water to increase the production of natural bacteria, which break down waste products. Oxygen is a colorless, odorless gas. Its most reactive variant is ozone O3. It is also part of the stellar life cycle. It will turn light blue. It has no smell or color. Use the wrench to turn the valve counterclockwise. Formerly with ScienceBlogs.com and the editor of "Run Strong," he has written for Runner's World, Men's Fitness, Competitor, and a variety of other publications. Oxygen masks are used to ease various medical disorders, like hypoxemia, asthma, heart and vascular diseases. Oxygen is the main component within the air that is needed for all of our living cells. Toxicity can be due to elevated oxygen levels or other causes. The main specific uses of oxygen are best summarized by separating them into the three convenient categories referred to above. Turn off the oxygen system when it is not being used. It is also important to point out to the students that a lack of oxygen or breathing pure oxygen is detrimental to our health. Of the group 16 of the periodic table, it is the primary member. The symbol for oxygen is O. Lungs take in oxygen for the combustion of food and they eliminate the carbon dioxide produced. These include inflammation of the airways, nausea and tunnel vision. Do not use it near electric razors, hair dryers, heating pads, or anything that may spark. Oxygen gas (O 2) was isolated by Michael Sendivogius before 1604. And if you've had a look around the medical, industrial and aerospace worlds, you've probably seen oxygen storage systems well represented in each of these areas. Certain conditions may lessen the amount of oxygen … Oxygen Worldwide: Everyday Uses of Oxygen, In cells, oxygen is needed for aerobic respiration, which allows for the extraction of energy from ingested foods. It comprises 22% of the air. Without oxygen, humans will not be able to survive. As your COPD gets worse, you may become a good candidate for oxygen therapy. The large volume of gaseous oxygen resulting from the vaporization of liquid oxygen has the potential, if trapped in a closed circuit not adequately protected by pressure relief devices, to generate gas pressures high enough to cause explosive rupture of containers, transfer lines, piping, and other system components. Hydrogen is also useful in producing methanol. It is one of the main elements that make up air, and it is necessary for the survival of all plants and animals. ... Do not use drugs or alcohol while taking oxygen therapy, as they can slow your breathing. Oxygen is a tasteless gas. Razors, hair dryers, heating pads, or oxygen gas by photosynthesis cells use oxygen more than 15 a! The atomic number 8 on the periodic table of elements make the Earth 's oxygen gas is to. 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