How Does Joseph Priestley Discover Oxygen

Back on the date of June 18, 1773 Joseph Priestley was in his science lab exploring and studying about the elements. Priestley had done a lot of experiments to find more about the element now known as oxygen. The first experiment dealt with using the previous methods Carl W. Scheele used. Carl W. Scheele was a chemist from sweden, but in his discovery of oxygen he had other people helping him throughout the process. Joseph had thought in his mind, “ If I can do this scientific inquiry on my own, I will technically become the first person to discover oxygen.” From this point forward Joseph began the learning experience and started the experiments. In the first experiment Joesph used materials such as red mercury oxide, an inverted glass container, …show more content…
The uncovering of the new air became known as dephlogisticated air. Dephlogisticated air is oxygen but the name oxygen was invented as yet. Joseph decided to do another experiment using, mint and a candle. Joseph decided to place the candle in a closed area to light the candle he used sunlight beams from a mirror which started a fire. Next, he placed some mint unto the candle, the candle burned out as soon as the air was burnt. After 27 days had passed, he had lit a fire on the candle again and noticed the candle burned out well rather than the air previously couldn't support. Joseph didn't stop experimenting as yet he done another experiment using a jar and a mouse. He place the mouse in the jar and let it stay in the jar as long as it collapsed or couldn't breath much more. If a plant was placed in the jar Joseph figured that the mouse would live longer. These three experiments had lead him to the thought of plants reinstein the air whether alive animals and burning candles removed. Due to this conclusion the element name oxygen was now being fashioned by