Is oxygen a gas, and if so, is it the only gas we shouldn’t be mining?
Answer
Dear Jochen,
Oxygen is indeed a gas. It makes up about 21% of the atmosphere, in addition to about 78% nitrogen and 1% residual gases. We constantly inhale oxygen. We would suffocate if there was no oxygen in the atmosphere.
Oxygen is indeed mined. Industrially, air is liquefied and then distilled at a low temperature. Oxygen can also be obtained by passing electricity through water. Pure oxygen is used in hospitals as a breathing gas for patients with reduced lung function, or who are recovering from surgery. More than half of all pure oxygen produced is used in steelmaking. There are also important applications in the chemical industry and as rocket fuel.
Answered by
Dr Etienne Jooken
Chemistry
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/
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