Given the fact that the human body is mainly water, and that there are 2 molecules of Hydrogen to 1 of Oxygen in water, how come Oxygen is the most common element in the human body?
Question #151494. Asked by
chabenao1.
Last updated Jul 29 2024.
Originally posted Jul 29 2024 9:11 AM.
Four elements oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen comprise 97% of the human body. Oxygen holds first place, making up 65% to 67% of the human body by weight, Because human bodies are mostly water - around 50% to 60% - so most of the oxygen is the "O" in H2O. The weight of a water molecule is 18 atomic mass units with 16 being oxygen and 2 amu being the weight of the 2 hydrogen molecules. Therefore 89% of a water molecule is oxygen.
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