Sage-Tips

How do hydrogen and oxygen come together to make water?

In theory, it’s easy to make water from hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Mix the two gases together, add a spark or sufficient heat to provide the activation energy to start the reaction, and presto—instant water. Energy must be supplied to break the covalent bonds that hold H2 and O2 molecules together.

Why do we need a spark or flame to get this reaction to go?

The spark provides some energy that lets a few molecule combust. These reacting molecules release energy in the reaction, which then allows other molecules to reach the transition state energy and combust, too!

Why is a spark needed to get the gases to react?

For the reaction to start, activation energy must be added. An electric spark or adding heat can provide that energy. A few of the hydrogen and oxygen molecules will react, producing energy for even more molecules to react. Every chemical reaction needs activation energy to start.

Can you fuse hydrogen and oxygen to make water?

Just mixing hydrogen and oxygen together doesn’t make water – to join them together you need energy. The trouble with adding energy into the equation is that a large-scale chemical reaction of flammable hydrogen and oxygen (which is what keeps a fire burning) is likely to result in a rather large explosion.

When hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water water would be a product?

The actual reaction to make water is a bit more complicated: 2H2 + O2 = 2H2O + Energy. In English, the equation says: To produce two molecules of water (H2O), two molecules of diatomic hydrogen (H2) must be combined with one molecule of diatomic oxygen (O2). Energy will be released in the process.

What happens when hydrogen peroxide is mixed with water?

Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is a colorless liquid that mixes with water and is widely used as a disinfectant and a bleaching agent. It is unstable and decomposes (breaks down) slowly to form water and oxygen gas.

Why is the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen exothermic?

For example, the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to give water. If more is released from bond making than was used for breaking the original bonds, energy will be released into the environment and the reaction is exothermic. if less is released, then the reaction is endothermic.

When oxygen and hydrogen gases combine the result is?

When molecular hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) are combined and allowed to react together, energy is released and the molecules of hydrogen and oxygen can combine to form either water or hydrogen peroxide. These two processes are represented by the two chemical equations shown at right.

Is hydrogen and oxygen water?

A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. A single oxygen atom contains six electrons in its outer shell, which can hold a total of eight electrons. When two hydrogen atoms are bound to an oxygen atom, the outer electron shell of oxygen is filled.

What happens when hydrogen combines with oxygen?

Textbook solution. When hydrogen combines with oxygen it gives water. In presence of electricity, the combination of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat and water as a side product.

Why is water a liquid if hydrogen and oxygen are gases?

When two water molecules come together, the slightly positive Hs are attracted to the negative O and they cluster together. This is (basically) why water is liquid at room temperature.

Why is water different from hydrogen and oxygen?

The difference is due to the fact that one water molecule has two hydrogen atoms to one oxygen atom, as explained above. This means it takes two water molecules (2 H2O) to make one oxygen molecule (O2). At the same time, however, two molecules of water (2 H2O) can make two molecules of hydrogen (2 H2).

How do hydrogen and oxygen react to make water?

The other answer is correct. Hydrogen and oxygen react in a chemical formula to synthesise water. The spark is the activation energy required for the reaction to initiate. Breaking bonds takes in energy, creating bonds/forming them, releases energy.

Why is a spark required for a chemical reaction to occur?

So for the case of H2 and O2 a spark is required. Hope that answered your question. The other answer is correct. Hydrogen and oxygen react in a chemical formula to synthesise water. The spark is the activation energy required for the reaction to initiate. Breaking bonds takes in energy, creating bonds/forming them, releases energy.

Why does energy need to be supplied to make water?

Energy must be supplied to break the covalent bonds that hold H 2 and O 2 molecules together. The hydrogen cations and oxygen anions are then free to react with each other, which they do because of their electronegativity differences. When the chemical bonds re-form to make water, additional energy is released, which propagates the reaction.

What happens when you mix hydrogen & oxygen at room temperature?

Merely mixing the two gases at room temperature, however, won’t do anything, like hydrogen and oxygen molecules in the air don’t spontaneously form water. Energy must be supplied to break the covalent bonds that hold H 2 and O 2 molecules together.