Question

Write the uses of oxygen.

Answer 1

Uses of oxygen

Respiration

• Oxygen is a life-supporting gas and is vital for respiration. Oxygen is taken in during respiration and is used to oxidise complex food substances to liberate energy.

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_{12}{\mathrm{O}}_6\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+6{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 6{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+6{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+\mathrm{energy} \\ \mathrm{Glucose}\mathrm{Oxygen}\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide}\mathrm{Water} \end{gathered}$$

• In hospitals, oxygen-filled cylinders are used to support artificial respiration for patients who are suffering from respiratory problems.
• Firemen, sea divers and astronauts also carry oxygen cylinders to places where there is a shortage of oxygen.

Industrial uses

• In industries, oxy-acetylene and oxy-hydrogen flames are used for cutting and welding metals. This flame can cut through steel which is 30cm thick.
• Oxygen is extensively used for the manufacturing compounds like iron, steel, nitric acid and sulphuric acid.
• Burning: Oxygen present in the air is essential for burning fuels to produce energy in the form of heat and light.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to {\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+\mathrm{heat}+\mathrm{light} \\ \mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{Oxygen}\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$

Medical uses

• Carbogen, a mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide is used in certain treatments and for research purposes.
• A mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide is used as a medical anaesthesia gas.
• Oxygen cylinders are given to patients suffering from respiratory disorders in hospitals.

Other uses

(I) For removing impurities

• Oxygen is used to remove impurities like carbon and silicon in the steel industry.

(II) In chemical industries

• Oxygen is extensively used in the manufacturing of compounds like iron, steel, nitric acid and sulphuric acid.

(III) As a rocket propellant

• Liquid oxygen is used as a rocket pollutant. In rockets, it is used to burn liquid hydrogen which is the fuel.