Also known as the oxygen family, chalcogens are sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), and polonium (Po). Oxygen (O) is also in group 16, where chalcogens are found in the periodic table. Although it is called a chalcogen, oxygen and oxides are often separated from chalcogens because its chemical behavior is very different from that of the other elements in the group. The other elements in the group show similar patterns in their electronic configurations, resulting in similar chemical behavior. The name chalcogen means "mineral former", derived from the Greek words chalcos: mineral and -gen: formation. An interesting fact is that oxygen is the most abundant element on Earth, the second in the atmosphere and the third in the entire universe. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and very reactive. Its name comes from the Latin words “oxy” and “gen” which mean “acid-forming”. It is found in the sun and plays a key role in energy production. Although it is colorless in its natural state, when in solid or liquid form, oxygen is pale blue in color. Before Leonardo da Vinci suggested that air was made up of two different gases, air was thought to be an element in its own right. Joseph Priestley is usually credited with the discovery of oxygen, but Carl Wilhelm Scheele also reported it. Sulfur, on the other hand, has a yellow color and can appear in many different forms. It is often used in rubber and gunpowder. Sulfur is also the tenth most abundant element in the universe. Because it is found in many other minerals, Antoine Lavoisier had to convince other scientists of his time that sulfur was an element. Its name comes from the ancient names of the element. Most sulfur is found in sulfuric acid which is used in many things such as... middle of paper...... 2013. "The Parts of the Periodic Table." The parts of the periodic table. Np, nd Web. 4 November 2013. .Chemistry Explained." Chalcogens. Np, nd Web. 5 November 2013. http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ce-Co/Chalcogens.html#b "Oxygen - O." Oxygen (O Np, nd Web. November 5, 2013. http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/o.htm "Sulfur - S." Np, nd Web. http://www.lenntech.com/ periodic/elements/s.htm "Selenium - Se." elements/se.htm "Tellurium - Te." te.htm "Polonius - Po." (Po, nd Web. 5 November 2013. http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/po.htm).