Here's why:
* Sharing electrons: Oxygen atoms are highly electronegative, meaning they strongly attract electrons. To achieve a stable configuration, they need to gain two electrons.
* Covalent bond: To share electrons with another oxygen atom, they form a covalent bond. This means they both contribute two electrons to form a shared pair, resulting in a double bond.
* Diatomic molecule: Since the molecule consists of two oxygen atoms bonded together, it's classified as a diatomic molecule.
Oxygen gas is essential for life as we know it. It's found in the air we breathe and is crucial for respiration, the process that allows our bodies to use energy from food.
