Yes, oxygen definitely has weight because it has mass and is affected by gravity.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Atomic Weight: As evidenced by the work of scientists like Edward Morley, oxygen has a measurable atomic weight. Morley meticulously determined the relative atomic weight of oxygen to be approximately 15.879 through various experimental methods. This demonstrates that oxygen atoms possess mass.
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Mass and Gravity: Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. Since oxygen has mass (as confirmed by its atomic weight) and exists within a gravitational field (like that of Earth), it experiences a gravitational force, giving it weight.
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Examples:
- We can weigh oxygen gas in a container. While it may be very light, sensitive instruments can detect its weight.
- The density of air, which includes oxygen, is affected by the weight of its constituent gases.
In short, because oxygen has mass and is subject to gravity, it undoubtedly has weight.
