Oxygen, the essential element for supporting life as we know it, was originally known by a different name before its discovery in the 18th century. The first name given to oxygen was “dephlogisticated air,” reflecting the scientific understanding of the time that oxygen was responsible for the process of combustion.
This crucial discovery was made by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1772, who called the new gas “fire air.” Soon after, the English scientist Joseph Priestley independently isolated oxygen and referred to it as “dephlogisticated air,” further advancing our understanding of this vital element in the atmosphere.
Introduction
Before we delve into the fascinating history of oxygen, let’s start by answering the burning question: what was oxygen originally called? Despite its well-known name today, oxygen was not always called by its current moniker. In fact, it underwent several names before finally being referred to as oxygen.
The discovery of oxygen
In the late 18th century, a Swedish chemist named Carl Wilhelm Scheele made a groundbreaking discovery. He isolated a gas during his experiments with various substances, and he originally named this gas “fire air.” Recognizing its importance, Scheele published his findings in 1777, describing the remarkable properties of this new substance.
Shortly after Scheele’s discovery, another scientist by the name of Joseph Priestley independently isolated the same gas and also conducted experiments on it. Priestley called this gas “dephlogisticated air,” as he believed it lacked a substance called “phlogiston” that was thought to exist at the time.
The name “oxygen” emerges
Despite the pioneering work of Scheele and Priestley, it was Antoine Lavoisier, a French chemist widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Chemistry,” who eventually gave the gas its current name. Lavoisier conducted extensive experiments on the gas and realized its role in combustion and respiration. In 1778, he suggested the name “oxygen,” derived from the Greek words “oxys” meaning “acid” and “gennan” meaning “to generate.”
Other names and theories
While “oxygen” eventually became the accepted name for the gas, it is interesting to note some of the other names and theories associated with it during its early discovery. For example, Scheele’s initial name, “fire air,” accurately described its ability to support combustion. Priestley’s term “dephlogisticated air” was based on the phlogiston theory, which was eventually disproven.
Additionally, other scientists proposed their own names for the gas. For instance, the English chemist Humphry Davy called it “vital air” due to its importance in sustaining life. The German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt suggested “chemical air” to emphasize its chemical properties.
The acceptance of “oxygen”
While alternative names were proposed, “oxygen” gained wider acceptance due to Lavoisier’s influence and the increasing recognition of his contributions to the field of chemistry. As Lavoisier’s theories and discoveries gained prominence, so did his choice of name for the gas.
The significance of the name
The name “oxygen” holds a significant meaning in the context of the gas’s properties and its role in the natural world. The term “acid generator” accurately describes oxygen’s ability to combine with other elements to form various acids. Moreover, it highlights the importance of oxygen’s role in many chemical reactions and the generation of energy in living organisms through respiration.
While it’s intriguing to explore the various names that were associated with oxygen, it was ultimately Antoine Lavoisier who popularized the name “oxygen” and solidified its usage in the scientific community. Today, we recognize and understand the vital role that oxygen plays in our daily lives, thanks in part to the work of Scheele, Priestley, and Lavoisier.
Oxygen was originally called “dephlogisticated air” before the discovery of its true nature and properties by Antoine Lavoisier in the 18th century.