consists of two dumbbell-like molecules loosely held together by induced dipole dispersion forces. Phases of solid oxygen There are six known distinct phases of solid oxygen. One of them is a dark-red cluster. When oxygen is subjected to a pressure of 96 GPa, it becomes metallic, in a similar manner to hydrogen, and becomes more similar to the heavier chalcogens, such as selenium (exhibiting a pink-red color in its elemental state), tellurium and polonium, both of which show significant metallic character. At very low temperatures, this phase also becomes superconducting. References Further reading Oxygen