Oxygen-18
Delainee Neal Chemistry-4th
There are 3 known stable isotopes of oxygen.
Oxygen-18
Symbol:
Atomic Number: 8
Atomic Mass: 18 (17.9991)
Number of Protons: 8
Number of Electrons: 8
Number of Neutrons: 10
Who discovered the isotope?
Giauque and Johnston discovered oxygen-18 in 1929.
The relative abundance of oxygen-18 is 0.20%
Physical Properties
1. Freezing point: -218.8ºC
2. Boiling point: -182.9ºC
Uses:
1. It is used as an artificial tracer.
2. It is used in hydrolic studies becuase it is naturally occuring, does not decay over time, and it is conservative within the watershed.
Interesting Facts
1. In warm, tropical areas, the ocean is high in oxygen-18.
2. Water vapor gradually loses oxygen-18 as it travels from the equator to the poles.