Really? I remember asking someone why the two happily ignite, but together never do, and their explanation was that the molecular bond is too strong it keeps them stable?
I was a teenager at the time though, so just accepted it - is this really accurate?
It’s absolutely accurate, you’re just missing the fact that H2 and O2 have to oxidize, aka “burn,” to create that bond.
Forming that bond frees up a single Hydrogen atom, splitting the bond it has with its partner and causing a reaction that ends up releasing the excess energy of the Hydrogen molecule, and bonding one of the Hydrogen atoms to two Oxygen atoms, that allowed the oxidation in the first place. It also releases a large amount of energy, if you’re a Hydrogen or Oxygen atom, or a tiny amount of mostly heat energy if you’re a human.
This is also true of all other “ash” products created by oxidization of pretty much any fuel from trees to iron. Once you “burn” the compound, it becomes chemically inert for further oxidation, because the atomic bonds of the molecules are about as stable as they can get.
This is why, chemically and physicsally speaking, burning or Oxidizing fuel creates plasma that we call fire. That plasma is the excess energy being expelled as the fuel combines with mostly Oxygen, to form ashes.
Water just happens to be the only type of ash we are familiar with that isn’t dry, and instead gets things wet. There may be a few others, but I suspect that most of them are acids or bases that we don’t regularly have any contact with.
Edit: source: former US Navy Nuclear Power Program Electronics Technician Instructor. I understand the physics involved, and can easily do the math that the chemistry uses. I don’t know shit about biology, so there are probably some biological protein chains that negate literally everything I just said.
As others said, hydrogen and oxygen gas in the same container will not create water until energy is put in. Fill a Ballon with a balloon with a 2:1 molar ratio of H2 and O2, then pop the Ballon with a flame, and you will get a cloud of water vapor. Without the fire, popping the balloons with a needle will only release the gases.
Really? I remember asking someone why the two happily ignite, but together never do, and their explanation was that the molecular bond is too strong it keeps them stable?
I was a teenager at the time though, so just accepted it - is this really accurate?
It’s absolutely accurate, you’re just missing the fact that H2 and O2 have to oxidize, aka “burn,” to create that bond.
Forming that bond frees up a single Hydrogen atom, splitting the bond it has with its partner and causing a reaction that ends up releasing the excess energy of the Hydrogen molecule, and bonding one of the Hydrogen atoms to two Oxygen atoms, that allowed the oxidation in the first place. It also releases a large amount of energy, if you’re a Hydrogen or Oxygen atom, or a tiny amount of mostly heat energy if you’re a human.
This is also true of all other “ash” products created by oxidization of pretty much any fuel from trees to iron. Once you “burn” the compound, it becomes chemically inert for further oxidation, because the atomic bonds of the molecules are about as stable as they can get.
This is why, chemically and physicsally speaking, burning or Oxidizing fuel creates plasma that we call fire. That plasma is the excess energy being expelled as the fuel combines with mostly Oxygen, to form ashes.
Water just happens to be the only type of ash we are familiar with that isn’t dry, and instead gets things wet. There may be a few others, but I suspect that most of them are acids or bases that we don’t regularly have any contact with.
Edit: source: former US Navy Nuclear Power Program Electronics Technician Instructor. I understand the physics involved, and can easily do the math that the chemistry uses. I don’t know shit about biology, so there are probably some biological protein chains that negate literally everything I just said.
Holy shit, that’s insane - thank you!
Still surprised water is ash, and that there’s combustion involved… Am n00b :)
Why 2.5 and not 2? Wouldn’t a stoichiometric mix be the most efficient?
I’m assuming this isn’t being done in a perfect environment. Some of the gases won’t react/will diffuse enough not to react
Hey man, roughly how much hydrogen would be needed to make 25ml of water?
And secondly. Where can I buy purr hydrogen and pure oxygen?
You just do electrolysis on the spot
As others said, hydrogen and oxygen gas in the same container will not create water until energy is put in. Fill a Ballon with a balloon with a 2:1 molar ratio of H2 and O2, then pop the Ballon with a flame, and you will get a cloud of water vapor. Without the fire, popping the balloons with a needle will only release the gases.