Well, in the simplest terms that I can understand, which means you have to dumb down to my level, Sunshine, is that;
‘Water is made of two hydrogen atoms attached to an oxygen atom. This seems like pretty basic chemistry, so why don’t we just smash them together and solve the world’s water ills? Theoretically, this is possible, but it would be an extremely dangerous process, too.
What is Water Made of?
To create water, oxygen and hydrogen atoms must be present. Mixing them doesn’t help; you’re still left with just separate hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The orbits of each atom’s electrons must become linked, and to do that, we must have a sudden burst of energy to get these shy things to hook up.
Since hydrogen is extremely flammable and oxygen supports combustion, it wouldn’t take much to create this force. Pretty much all we need is a spark – not even a flame – and boom! We have water. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms’ electrons’ orbits have been conjoined.
So… What Happens If We Try to Make Water Ourselves?
We will have an explosion and – if our experiment was big enough – a deadly one.
What the Hindenburg Disaster Taught Us About Making Water
The ill-fated blimp, the Hindenburg, was filled with hydrogen to keep it afloat. As it approached New Jersey on May 6, 1937, to land after a trans-Atlantic voyage, static electricity (or an act of sabotage, according to some) caused the hydrogen to spark. When mixed with the ambient oxygen in the air, the hydrogen exploded, enveloping the Hindenburg in a ball of fire that destroyed the ship within half a minute.
There was, however, also a lot of water created by this explosion.’ I think, would be enough to give anyone pause about trying to get oxygen and hydrogen to do the nasty to produce water.
Want Water Without the Risks?
Fear not, fellow homo sapien, there are some wonder workers out there that have come up with some interesting and feasible ideas on how to create water – more about that next wee.
Here’s a Safer Way to Stay Hydrated
For now, and in the foreseeable future, should you require drinking water that doesn’t go boom when you drink it, have a look at our rather nifty range of water coolers, hot water boilers, water fountains… (the list goes on). You’re welcome to drop us an e-mail, and we’ll be happy to take you through the best water cooler for your requirements.
Rather unfortunately, our water cooler is not cut out for scientific water experiments. Just in case you were wondering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is water made of?
Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. This basic chemical structure is fundamental to water’s existence and properties. The bond between these atoms is what makes water a stable and essential compound for life.
To form water, the electrons of the hydrogen and oxygen atoms must link, which requires a burst of energy. This process is not as simple as mixing the elements together, as the atoms need to form a stable bond, a feat that requires precise conditions.
Why can't we just make water by combining hydrogen and oxygen?
While it is theoretically possible to create water by combining hydrogen and oxygen, the process is extremely dangerous. Hydrogen is highly flammable, and oxygen supports combustion, so introducing a spark can cause a violent explosion.
This reaction is not practical for creating water due to the risks involved. The energy required to bond the atoms safely is significant, and the potential for disaster, as demonstrated by historical events like the Hindenburg disaster, makes it an unsafe method for water production.
What was the Hindenburg disaster, and how is it related to making water?
The Hindenburg disaster occurred on May 6, 1937, when the hydrogen-filled airship caught fire while landing in New Jersey. The hydrogen ignited, likely due to static electricity, and exploded when mixed with the oxygen in the air.
This tragic event highlights the dangers of using hydrogen in large quantities, as the explosion also resulted in the formation of water. The disaster serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of attempting to create water through direct chemical reactions involving hydrogen.
Are there safer ways to obtain water without creating it from hydrogen and oxygen?
Yes, there are much safer ways to obtain water without the risks associated with creating it from hydrogen and oxygen. For everyday needs, using water coolers, hot water boilers, and water fountains are practical solutions.
These devices provide clean and safe drinking water without the need for risky chemical reactions. They are designed to meet various hydration needs, ensuring you have access to water without the danger of explosions.
How does nature "make" water during a thunderstorm?
Lightning creates extreme heat—hotter than the surface of the sun—which can cause some chemical reactions (like creating ozone or nitrogen oxides), but the rain itself is formed by condensation, not by bonding gases.
I just weaken my mind .. about this artificial creation of water .in Earth it couldn’t be.y v can’t try in Mars . Elon musk make everything possible ..😂
thank you so much with this article it helped me so much, and makes my work much easier!
Lol
lol xD
man that some pretty good knowledge about a tickiling question in my head.thank you
I was really wondering about this, thank you so much for this short article on this topic. I enjoyed it!🤗
Dear Mrs/Ms Shaw
I truly enjoyed this short article. It was easy to understand and not at all boring to read.
Thank you for answering my question with a satisfying answer.
Dorothy
I’ve been toiling w that ?myself. Theories like origin of H2O on earth came from ‘water logged’ asteroids do not answer, as where did that H2O come from! That Hydrogen + Oxygen would cause explosion when combined explains why man can’t just make H2O to cure droughts. I guess only answer is God made it
But if we are far from this bonding process then it can be safe
Fusion reactors would produce (create) water as a by-product. Years ago I saw a scientist on TV talking about this. He said that if fusion power could be harnessed it would be a world changing revolution on par with the industrial. But, he went on to say that if all the worlds power was generated by fusion reactors the amount of newly created water released into the earths atmosphere could become a problem. he said that all the water that now exists on the planet is all that there has ever been. Water never goes away it just gets redistributed and life as we know it has evolved to live with that. Starting to create significant amounts of “new” water might upset the whole system.