Here's why:

* Atomic Number: Oxygen has an atomic number of 8, which means it has 8 protons in its nucleus.

* Neutral Atom: In a neutral atom, the number of protons (positive charge) is equal to the number of electrons (negative charge).

* Electron Configuration: Oxygen's electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁴, meaning it has 2 electrons in its first shell and 6 electrons in its second shell, totaling 8 electrons.