Would you expect to find free oxygen gas in the atmospheres of the giant planets? Why or why not?

No, you would not expect to find free oxygen gas in the atmospheres of the giant planets. Here's why:

1. Composition: The giant planets in our solar system (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) have atmospheres primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of other compounds like methane, water, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. Oxygen is not a significant component.

2. Formation: These planets formed in the outer parts of the solar system where it was cold enough for these lighter gases to condense. Oxygen, being a heavier element, was more prevalent closer to the sun where terrestrial planets like Earth formed.

3. Lack of Photosynthesis: On Earth, free oxygen gas is continuously replenished by photosynthetic organisms. The giant planets lack the conditions necessary for photosynthesis, such as a solid surface and sunlight, which means there's no natural process replenishing any free oxygen that might be present.

4. Chemical Reactions: Any oxygen that might have been present in the atmospheres of these planets would likely have reacted with the hydrogen to form water.

So, based on our current understanding of planetary science, it's highly unlikely that there's free oxygen gas in the atmospheres of the giant planets.