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When mixing H2(two hygrogens)and an O(oxygen), scientifically would you get water?
Question Date: 2013-05-01
Answer 1:

When you mix hydrogen gas (H2) with oxygen gas (which is diatomic with the formula O2) and add some activation energy (like a spark). The oxygen and hydrogen will react to form water and will release energy in the process according to the equation H2+1/2 O2→ H2O where the prefix ½ refers to the stoichiometry of the reaction by moles.


Answer 2:

It's interesting that you ask this. It's related to a question someone else asked if you're interested:

click here to read

However, let's answer your question. First of all, oxygen exists as a diatomic molecule (i.e. O2). So the reaction you want to occur is 2H2 + O2 --> 2H2O. While the reaction is "spontaneous" (has a negative change in Gibbs Free Energy), it would require a large source of energy to overcome the activation energy barrier to get H2 + O2 to combine.


Answer 3:

Hydrogen and oxygen gases combine to make water under high enough temperatures. The reaction releases enough energy that the heat is self-sustaining as long as enough reagents remain, which is my hydrogen is flammable.


Answer 4:

Yes, in fact when hydrogen gas burns it combines with oxygen which releases heat and results in water.


Answer 5:

Absolutely. The trick is providing enough energy for them to react. (Also it would be tricky to get monoatomic oxygen. In fact, if you could get monoatomic oxygen, it would probably be reactive enough to react with the hydrogen gas and form water. You might be able to get monoatomic oxygen in a plasma.)



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