Which one of the following scientists is credited with the discovery of oxygen?

• A. Joseph Priestley
• B. Ernest Rutherford
• C. Dmitri Mendeleev
• D. John Dalton

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that this question is about the historical discovery of oxygen, a fundamental element in chemistry.
2. Recall that Joseph Priestley is credited with the discovery of oxygen in the 18th century by isolating it through the heating of mercuric oxide.
3. Recognize that Ernest Rutherford is known for his work on the nuclear model of the atom, not the discovery of oxygen.
4. Know that Dmitri Mendeleev is famous for creating the periodic table, organizing elements by their properties.
5. Remember that John Dalton is known for his atomic theory, which describes atoms as indivisible particles, but he did not discover oxygen.