Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: backgroundwhitenoise on 19/09/2008 04:00:01

Title: How do hydrogen and oxygen react to make water?
Post by: backgroundwhitenoise on 19/09/2008 04:00:01

All Right

I know for a fact that you can turn water into hydrogen and oxygen through the process of 
electrolysis, i know what that is and how to do it, but what i really need to know is the details of turning hydrogen and oxygen back into water.

 I have some ideas on how this may work, but i have no idea how to back those up with any proof (you see i have no way to get hydrogen, and i don't want to try electrolysis because i only have access to copper cables, which will contaminate them, and i cant afford platinum ones) so as much as i hate to rely on others findings, i would very much love it if someone could tell me the logistics on turning H and O into H2O.

~backgroundwhitenoise

Title: Re: How do hydrogen and oxygen react to make water?
Post by: daveshorts on 19/09/2008 10:56:23

You can use graphite electrodes for electrolysis, although they do tend to disintegrate fairly rapidly. You will need to add something like sulphuric acid or sodium sulphate to increase the water's conductivity if you want it to work at all. If you remove the power supply then any hydrogen and oxygen on the process will naturally reverse and generate a voltage until the gas is used up.

To do this any longer requires adding the hydrogen and oxygen which requires more infrastructure and ways of seperating the two, and the device is known as a fuel cell.

Title: Re: How do hydrogen and oxygen react to make water?
Post by: Volcano on 19/09/2008 12:52:39

Fill a balloon with a mixture of Hydrogen and Oxygen, tie the neck, add a naked flame and BOOM!!, you'll get a small explosion and be left with a puddle of water.

(Obviously this is a bit dangerous so make sure you take the ballon away from anything flammable).

Title: Re: How do hydrogen and oxygen react to make water?
Post by: backgroundwhitenoise on 20/09/2008 03:55:58

Wow

Thanks you two that helps a whole tonne (but don't be shy if anyone wants to add anything else)

~backgroundwhitenoise

Title: Re: How do hydrogen and oxygen react to make water?
Post by: DrDick on 20/09/2008 03:56:32

The process you're talking about is not electrolysis, though.  Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to cause a non-spontaneous reaction to occur.  The reaction between H2 and O2 is spontaneous, and would lead to a voltaic (aka galvanic) cell, or a fuel cell, depending on the setup.

You could also use an inert metal (such as platinum) for your electrodes.

And I think the temperature of the boom would be high enough to ensure the water stayed gaseous.  :)

Title: Re: How do hydrogen and oxygen react to make water?
Post by: backgroundwhitenoise on 20/09/2008 04:48:55

Hehe i knew it wasn't actually electrolysis but that was the best name i had for it.

~backgroundwhitenoise