What does OXY mean in CHEMISTRY

No, oxygen itself is not flammable but it can accelerate burning by providing additional fuel. Fire needs fuel, heat and an oxidizing agent (most often oxygen) to sustain combustion.

Oxygen has many commercial applications, including welding, metal refining and fertilization in agriculture. It is also used to manufacture nitrous oxide for use as an anesthetic in medical procedures.

Oxygen is mainly produced by splitting a molecule of diatomic oxygen (O2) into two single atoms of oxygen (O). The most commonly used method for producing oxygen on a large scale involves liquefaction and separation of air by fractional distillation in an air separation plant at low temperatures and pressures.

Oxygen constitutes roughly 21 percent of the atmosphere on Earth by volume. This percentage has been relatively stable throughout Earth's history because photosynthesis produces enough new molecules to replace those that are being used up.

Without any atmospheric oxygen life on Earth could not exist as we know it today since aerobic respiration is necessary for sustaining our species' lives. Without the presence of atmospheric gases like nitrogen and carbon dioxide plants would be unable to photosynthesize and thus provide essential nutrients for other organisms in the biosphere.