Oxygen atom in 3D
Respiration and water. Oxygen is part of water and many rocks. Oxygen gas supports aerobic respiration and is used in steel production. Explore the 3D model, inspect its parts and learn with guided explanations. Free on Atlas.
What you can learn
Respiration and water. Oxygen is part of water and many rocks. Oxygen gas supports aerobic respiration and is used in steel production.
Identify oxygen from its proton count.
Count the neutrons in Oxygen-16.
Inspect the occupied electron shells.
Compare the valence shell with a neighbouring element.
Explain what changes when an electron is lost.
O, O₂ and O₃ describe an atom and two different molecules. Their properties are not interchangeable.
Try an investigation
Identify oxygen from its proton count.
Check your understanding
What identifies an atom as oxygen?
8 protons. Atomic number is proton count. Every oxygen nucleus has 8 protons.
How many neutrons are in Oxygen-16?
8. Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 16 − 8 = 8. Mass number is not the average atomic weight of natural samples.
How many electrons are in a neutral oxygen atom?
8. A neutral atom balances 8 positive protons with 8 negative electrons.
Which shell count describes neutral oxygen in its ground state?
2, 6. [He] 2s² 2p⁴ gives 2, 6 electrons across its occupied shells. Circular paths are only diagram guides.
If this atom loses one electron, what happens to its net charge?
It becomes +1. Losing one negative electron leaves one more proton than electrons. Its 8 protons still identify it as oxygen.
What can this 3D shell model tell you reliably?
The particle counts for the selected neutral isotope. The counts represent a defined isotope and neutral atom. Particle sizes, spacing and circles are simplified teaching symbols.
Sources and model scope
An educational representation. The explorer identifies its data sources, scale choices and simplifications.