Oxygen molecule of four atoms
The typical forms of oxygen are O2 and O3, i.e. the normal oxygen molecule and ozone. In the 1920s, the possible presence of the O4 molecule was theoretically postulated and, 80 years later, researchers at the University of Rome believe have detected this molecule. O2 molecules were positively charged and combined to see if positive O4 ions were produced with the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer separates the molecules according to the mass, but it is mandatory that they be loaded.
In the second step, the O4 ions were added an electron to convert them into neutral molecules and, a little later, the electrons were back. According to the researchers, if the neutral atom O4 was quite stable, using the mass spectrometer it would be possible to detect these last ions. And so it happened. Behind these investigations, in addition to theoretical interest, there may be practical interests, especially in the field of spacecraft fuels.
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