The oxygen formula depends on the form of oxygen you're referring to.
Oxygen exists in several forms, each with a distinct chemical formula:
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Oxygen Gas: The most common form of oxygen, found in the air we breathe, is diatomic oxygen, represented by the formula O2.
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Ozone: Another form of oxygen is ozone, which has the formula O3. It is found in the Earth's stratosphere and absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
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Oxygen in Compounds: When oxygen bonds with other elements to form compounds, it can exist as a single oxygen atom (O) or in other combinations (O2). For example:
- Water: H2O
- Magnesium Oxide: MgO
Therefore, the "oxygen formula" is not a single entity but rather varies depending on the specific context. The most common form is O2, representing oxygen gas.
