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Why isn't water flammable?

Why isn't water flammable?

  • Answer:

    Because water has hydrogen that has already been "burned". The energy in the bonds of 2 water molecules (H20) are lower than the bonds of 2 molecules of hydrogen (H2) and one molecule of oxygen (O2). So when you bring H2 and O2 together with a tiny bit of energy (a flame or spark just to start it), it will burn, releasing energy, and making water. You can make hydrogen and oxygen from water by electrolysis, but that uses energy, sort of like the reverse of burning. The burning of gasoline is very similar, the bonds start off with more energy, which is released on burning with oxygen to make CO2 (carbon dioxide) and water. However, making gasoline from CO2 and water is extremely difficult although with enough energy it's theoretically possible. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_isn't_water_flammable#ixzz17HLc1odt

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Water is not flammable due to hydrogen bonding between the O and H atoms in an individual water molecule AND the hydrogen bonds between neighboring water molecules. The bonds that hold together molecular hydrogen and oxygen (which are diatomic molecules in nature) are not strong and any input of heat causes them to break and release energy. Water has an enormously high heat of vaporization, which is why it takes a long time for water to heat to boiling in a pot of water on a stove. By the time enough heat has been put in to the water to cause flammability the water has already vaporized to steam.

Joe

Because water has hydrogen that has already been "burned". The energy in the bonds of 2 water molecules (H20) are lower than the bonds of 2 molecules of hydrogen (H2) and one molecule of oxygen (O2). So when you bring H2 and O2 together with a tiny bit of energy (a flame or spark just to start it), it will burn, releasing energy, and making water. You can make hydrogen and oxygen from water by electrolysis, but that uses energy, sort of like the reverse of burning. The burning of gasoline is very similar, the bonds start off with more energy, which is released on burning with oxygen to make CO2 (carbon dioxide) and water. However, making gasoline from CO2 and water is extremely difficult although with enough energy it's theoretically possible. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_isn't_water_flammable#ixzz17HLc1odt

k-while

Hydrogen and Oxygen dig each other too much to get involved with other elements. It's all about the bonds.

lercio

Water is not flammable due to hydrogen bonding between the O and H atoms in an individual water molecule AND the hydrogen bonds between neighboring water molecules. The bonds that hold together molecular hydrogen and oxygen (which are diatomic molecules in nature) are not strong and any input of heat causes them to break and release energy. Water has an enormously high heat of vaporization, which is why it takes a long time for water to heat to boiling in a pot of water on a stove. By the time enough heat has been put in to the water to cause flammability the water has already vaporized to steam.

Joe

Hydrogen and Oxygen dig each other too much to get involved with other elements. It's all about the bonds.

lercio

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