Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as well as with other compounds.

Is atom A oxygen?

Oxygen is a chemical element – a substance that contains only one type of atom. Its official chemical symbol is O, and its atomic number is 8, which means that an oxygen atom has eight protons in its nucleus. Oxygen is a gas at room temperature and has no colour, smell or taste. Oxygen is found naturally as a molecule.

Is oxygen an ion or an atom?

Oxygen, O. Oxygen is in Group 6. It has six electrons in its outer shell. It gains two electrons from one or two other atoms in reactions, forming an oxide ion, O ^2-.