5. Oxygen History: Oxygen was said to come from the birth of Earth (Big Bang) Priestly was credited for it's discovery, however Scheele also discovered it independently. Properties: The gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. The liquid and solid forms are a pale blue color and are strongly paramagnetic Plants and animals rely on oxygen for respiration. Hospitals frequently prescribe oxygen for patients with respiratory ailments Atomic Number 8 Boiling Point -182.95 Atomic Radius 66 Electron Configuration [He]2s^2 2p^4 Atomic Symbol O Oxidation State -2 Melting Point -218.79 Atomic Weight 15.9994