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  • Illustration of the Element oxygen.
    Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato Published 18 February 2019, Updated 11 March 2019 Size: 130 KB Referencing Hub media

    On the periodic table1 of elements2, oxygen3 is represented by the symbol O. It has an atomic number4 of 8 because it has 8 protons in its nucleus5.

    1. periodic table: The organisation of all known elements into groups with similar properties.
    2. element: A substance made of atoms that all have the same atomic number. Elements cannot be split into simpler substances using normal chemical methods.
    3. oxygen: A non-metal – symbol O, atomic number 8. Oxygen is a gas found in the air. It is needed for aerobic cellular respiration in cells.
    4. atomic number: The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. This determines an element’s properties and location on the periodic table of elements.
    5. nucleus: 1. The very small, very dense, positively charged centre of an atom containing protons and neutrons. 2. Part of the cell that contains the cell’s hereditary information (DNA) and controls the cell’s processes.
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      periodic table

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    2. The organisation of all known elements into groups with similar properties.

      atomic number

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    4. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. This determines an element’s properties and location on the periodic table of elements.

      element

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    6. A substance made of atoms that all have the same atomic number. Elements cannot be split into simpler substances using normal chemical methods.

      nucleus

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    8. 1. The very small, very dense, positively charged centre of an atom containing protons and neutrons.

      2. Part of the cell that contains the cell’s hereditary information (DNA) and controls the cell’s processes.

      oxygen

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    10. A non-metal – symbol O, atomic number 8. Oxygen is a gas found in the air. It is needed for aerobic cellular respiration in cells.