how many electrons are there in an oxygen atom
The correct answer and explanation is:
An oxygen atom has 8 electrons.
The number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons, which is determined by the atomic number of the element. For oxygen, the atomic number is 8, which means it has 8 protons in its nucleus. Since atoms are electrically neutral, the number of electrons equals the number of protons. Therefore, an oxygen atom has 8 electrons.
Oxygen is a non-metal and belongs to the group of elements known as the chalcogens in the periodic table. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁴. This means that oxygen has two electrons in its first energy level (1s²) and six electrons in its second energy level (2s² 2p⁴). The first energy level can hold a maximum of two electrons, while the second can hold up to eight electrons. Oxygen, therefore, fills its energy levels with the maximum capacity in the first shell and partially fills the second shell.
In terms of chemical bonding, oxygen is highly reactive due to its need for two more electrons to complete its outer shell, making it a strong oxidizing agent. This is why oxygen commonly forms covalent bonds with other elements, such as hydrogen in water (H₂O) and carbon in carbon dioxide (CO₂). It can also form ionic bonds by gaining electrons and becoming an anion (O²⁻).
The eight electrons in an oxygen atom are crucial in understanding its chemical behavior and its role in various chemical reactions.