The scientific name for the common form of elemental oxygen is dioxygen, or sometimes called diatomic oxygen, molecular oxygen, dioxidene or oxygen gas.
Understanding Oxygen's Nomenclature
While we commonly refer to it as "oxygen," the term can be ambiguous. The name "oxygen" can refer to:
- The element oxygen, which is the atomic substance denoted by the symbol O.
- The common diatomic molecule found on Earth, represented as O2.
- The triatomic molecule ozone, represented as O3.
To avoid confusion, scientists often use more specific terms when discussing oxygen in a chemical context.
Different Names for Oxygen
Here is a breakdown of the different names:
| Name | Chemical Formula | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen | O (element) | The element itself, existing as an atom of oxygen. |
| Dioxygen | O2 | The most common form of oxygen found in Earth's atmosphere, composed of two oxygen atoms. |
| Diatomic Oxygen | O2 | Another term for dioxygen, highlighting that it's made of two oxygen atoms. |
| Molecular Oxygen | O2 | Again, another synonym for dioxygen emphasizing that it's a molecule. |
| Dioxidene | O2 | Less commonly used, but another name for the diatomic molecule. |
| Oxygen Gas | O2 | Refers to dioxygen in its gaseous state. |
| Ozone | O3 | A triatomic allotrope of oxygen. |
Therefore, when specificity is needed, dioxygen (O2) is the preferred scientific name for what we generally know as "oxygen," particularly when referring to the molecule present in Earth's atmosphere.
