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where was discovered oxygen ?

**Oxygen, a Gas That Changed the Course of History**

Oxygen, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, is an essential element that makes up approximately 21% of the Earth’s atmosphere. But have you ever wondered where it was discovered? The answer is a topic of debate among scientists and historians.

According to the World Atlas, oxygen was discovered by Joseph Priestley in 1774 in England. Priestley, a British clergyman and chemist, isolated oxygen by heating mercuric oxide and publishing his findings the same year. However, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist, had also discovered oxygen independently in 1771, but his account was not published until 1777.

The debate surrounding who discovered oxygen first showcases the complexity of scientific discovery. While Priestley is often credited with the discovery of oxygen, some historians argue that Scheele should be given the credit since his work was not received until years after Priestley’s.

Other sources, including the American Chemical Society and the periodic table of elements, confirm that oxygen was discovered by both Priestley and Scheele. According to the ACS, Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen on August 1, 1774, in his laboratory in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, while he was emigrating to America.

The name “oxygen” comes from the Greek words “oxys” meaning “acid” and “genes” meaning “forming”. The element has been recognized as an essential component of the air and is necessary for the survival of most living organisms.

In conclusion, while the debate surrounding who discovered oxygen first may continue, it is clear that both Joseph Priestley and Carl Wilhelm Scheele made significant contributions to our understanding of this essential element.

**Sources:**

* World Atlas: How Was Oxygen Discovered?
* Science Focus Magazine: Who really discovered oxygen?
* Britannica: Oxygen
* Craft: How Was Oxygen Discovered?
* Periodic Table: Oxygen – Discoverer
* Wikipedia: Oxygen
* Mental Floss: Discovering Oxygen: A Brief History
* American Chemical Society: Joseph Priestley and the Discovery of Oxygen
* CliffsNotes: Who discovered oxygen?
* Scientific American: The Origin of Oxygen in Earth’s Atmosphere