Question

Elemental oxygen is normally found in the form of a diatomic molecule .Why

Answer 1

Oxygen generally exists as a diatomic molecule in the atmosphere when it is not combined with any other element. It forms the molecule O2 because in that configuration, it has its lowest energy level when uncombined. All substances tend to go to the lowest energy level possible.

Oxygen has 6 valence electrons. In order to become stable (attain low energy), it usually needs to gain 2 electrons. Eight electrons in the valence shell is very, very stable. In the standard model of the oxygen molecule, each oxygen atom shares two pairs of electrons. thus each atom can be considered to have at some time 8 electrons in its valence shell.