[Chris Kairuz]

Chris Kairuz  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris
 
I enjoy listening to your Friday morning programme on Radio 702 whenever I can.

A question I have is this: Can we produce water? If so, why don't we?
Hope you can help me with this.
 
Regards
Chris Kairuz
Kempton Park        

What do you think?

[lightarrow]

Of course we can. We can produce even Gold, Diamonds and every chemical element. The problem is how it costs.

[CliffordK]

Water is a compound (H₂O), not a chemical element.

It is formed whenever anything that contains hydrogen is burnt.

Most of our fuels that we commonly use are primarily hydrogen/carbon compounds, appropriately called hydrocarbons.  When they are burnt, it produces a mix of water and carbon dioxide.

In fact, on a cold morning, you will notice a white cloud of smoke behind your car.  That is primarily water that is being produced in your car's engine.  You may even notice water dripping from the exhaust pipe.  You still get water produced on a hot day, but it leaves the exhaust as transparent water vapor.

We have plenty of oxygen in the air.  However, producing "new" water requires a hydrogen source such as hydrocarbons.

You can use electrolysis and combustion to produce very pure water, but it would be less efficient than distillation.

[lightarrow]

Water is a compound (H₂O), not a chemical element.

Infact I haven't written that.  []

[Geezer]

I understand that Neil makes water quite often.

[lightarrow]

I understand that Neil makes water quite often.

It depends on how much he stays in the Pub  []