text: help   whats the diff. between o and o2? what is the difference between o and o2? they are both forms of oxygen i know. but what are all of their differences?  forms, formulas, properties, atomic masses, names?   any would be helpful and, whoever gives me the most differences gets best answer oxygen is an element, o would be one atom of this element  o does not really exist for very long in nature, because it has only 6 electrons.  it reacts with almost anything that it comes in contact with.  o2 is simply two oxygen atoms double bonded together to complete their outer shells.  the atmosphere we breath is 20% o2.  there is no o in the atmosphere, or anywhere else for that matter.  you can find out all about it and see pictures here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/oxygen