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| 1. |
Hydrogen and oxygen both are highly flammable elements but then also why we can\'t burn water? |
| Answer» Oxygen does not burn, it only facilitates the burning. Hydrogen is the fuel that is combusted, as it is oxidized by oxygen.The weak H-H bond in hydrogen is broken, as well as the O=O double bond in oxygen. This involves hydrogen losing its valence electrons to the oxygen atom to form a covalent bond, in the form H-O-H. When covalent bonds are formed, energy is released - this is what we observe as a violent explosion when these two elements react.Due to the large amounts of energy released during the reaction, the resulting H2O molecule now exists in a much lower energy state than its parent reactants. The molecule contains extremely strong O-H bonds that are not easily broken. Therefore, it is not possible (nor would it be energetically favorable) for water to react with oxygen again under normal conditions. | |