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What is the element of O2?

Published in Chemistry 1 min read

The element of O2 is oxygen.

Oxygen (O2) is a diatomic molecule, meaning it's composed of two oxygen atoms bonded together. It is an allotrope of the element oxygen. The other major allotrope is ozone (O3). Diatomic oxygen is essential for respiration in most living organisms and is a crucial component of the Earth's atmosphere.

Here's a further breakdown:

  • Element: Oxygen (O)
  • Molecular Form: Diatomic oxygen (O2) - the most common form
  • Allotrope: An allotrope of oxygen

The bonding in O2 is complex. While simplified explanations might suggest a double bond, the molecule's paramagnetism indicates the presence of two unpaired electrons. This means that the actual electronic structure is more intricate than a simple double bond representation.

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