Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: neverdem

First, if you break water into oxygen and hydrogen, does that destroy water?

Second, does a fuel cell burn the oxygen and hydrogen to produce the energy that runs some kind of generator?


34 posted on 08/04/2008 7:36:14 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain -- Those denying the War was Necessary Do NOT Support the Troops!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies ]


To: xzins
First, if you break water into oxygen and hydrogen, does that destroy water?

Yes, the water is broken down to its elements, oxygen, chemical symbol O, and hydrogen, chemical symbol H. In nature two molecules of water yield two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen.

2H2O --> 2H2 + O2

In nature, you don't find single, free atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. However, they exist happily as what are called diatomic molecules. It's a chemistry observation, that's been known for ages. It's explained by their electrons behavior.

Second, does a fuel cell burn the oxygen and hydrogen to produce the energy that runs some kind of generator?

Yes, reforming the stuff back into two molecules of water and releasing the energy in those chemical bonds. Hydrogen likes to be in the oxidized state of water. Oxygen likes to be reduced state of water. In chemistry they are called reduction - oxidation, aka redox, reactions.

39 posted on 08/04/2008 10:07:51 AM PDT by neverdem (I'm praying for a Divine Intervention.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson