Short Rambles

Thank you, Oxygen

What if the world lost its oxygen for five seconds?

Everyone at the beach would immediately gets sunburns.

*even though there would be no beach, no sand and no water*

Molecular oxygen protects our skin from UV light

The daytime sky would get dark

Fewer particles to bounce light means a dark, almost black sky.

All pieces of untreated metal would instantly spot weld to each other.

The only thing preventing from welding together on contact is a layer of Oxidation

The Earth's crust would crumble.

Oxygen makes up 45% of the crust.

Everyones inner ear would explode.

Because we would lose 21% of the air pressure.

Every building made out of concrete would crumble into dust

Oxygen is an important binder in concrete.

Water is 1/3 oxygen, without it hydrogen would turn into a gaseous state and expand in volume.

The oceans would evaporate and bleed into space.

Without oxygen, hydrogen is free to float to the upper Troposphere and evenually into space.

Now, what if the oxygen amount doubled?

Paper airplanes would fly further.

We would get better gas mileage.

We would be happier and more alert.

The exta oxygen would improve our cognition, alertness, and physical performance.

BUT.....

There would be giant insects and spiders.

An insect's body size is determined by the proportion of oxygen in the atmosphere.

Everything in moderation, right?

Thank you oxygen, for being just the way you are.