h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've heard it can be done, but I've never quite found the knack...




'Nonnie

Hi Anonymouse!

It depends on what you mean by "burning water".

If you mean oxidating it, that is, having it react with oxygene, then, as far as I know, this is impossible by heating water. In order to get hydrogen peroxide (H202), which is a water molecule with an additional Oxygen atom, you need to have oxygen from the air react with certain organic compounds, especially anthraquinone or isopropyl alcohol (sorry for the technical terms ).

If, on the other hand, you mean having something burn in water, then the matter is easier. You've got to burn an element which has a stronger attraction to oxygen than hydrogen, for example Magnesium, under water. Then the Magnesium binds the oxygen atoms, and hydrogen is set free. The chemical equation is

Mg + H20 -> MgO + H2

The reaction produces light and heat, just like most other oxidations, and is used to make underwater torches.

I hope that helped
Sorry for the many technical terms, but the matter is quite complicated...


PP

'nony

What ever you do remember Dihydrogen Monoxide could well be present in any experiments. This incredible dangerous chemical if very misunderstood.

Illumination can be found here http://www.dhmo.org/

Chris

Dihydrogen monoxide? Oh ha ha ha - I get it.

Dangerous stuff, causes brain swelling in sufficient dses, present in nearly all cancer cells. Present in large quanities in ALL polluted rivers and lakes etc Yet the world is unaware of the dangers!

Chris

LOL

Don't forget that all known evil persons turned evil AFTER consuming at least a small quantity of Dihydrogen Monoxide, and EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT HAS EVER TOUCHED IT HAS DIED OR IS SURE TO DIE!!!

Let's do something against it!



PP

Occasionally two forums should combined. Another question on "How Do I" is how to boil an egg. Well combine it with this one and you get the case of an old house mate of mine who managed to burn a boiled egg!! Took some doing as it takes some time for all the water to boil away and the smell is truly terrible.

Chris

LOL... I admit this never happened to me, though I did leave a pan with scrambled eggs on the gas cooker once when I was going out... I came back 2 hours after, and, well, imagine what it smelled like when I noticed the smell 2 houses before my house...

PP

I found a simple way to burn water that nearly anyone can do!
1. Take one jar of water
2. Take 2 tablespoons of salt and add to the water
3. Using an acdc wall adapter, run 36 volts through the water
4. Light a match (be careful!)
5. Boom! Nice roaring water fire
(I know technically this is hydrogen and oxygen burning... but noone else had written it yet )

My dad once knew someone who burnt jelly and custard (or it might have been jelly and blancmange). The incident occurred when Dad was in the army. One of his friends was away from the barracks for some reason, and hadn't returned in time for the evening meal. One of the cooks (male) asked what they should do about the missing man's food, and was told 'Put it in the oven'. The cook followed this 'order' to the letter - including dessert, which was jelly and custard. By the time my dad's friend got back, the main course was dry and inedible, and the dessert had first melted, then somehow burnt.

Well.. I have to admit, I'm not really clear on what was meant, either... I just keep hearing things like, "My sister could burn water." ...

Now.. as for this Dihydrogen Monoxide thing.. You've finally hit on one that I'm pretty sure I remember where I put, so if I'm right, it will soon end up on:

http://www.h2g2.com/A254710

'Nonnie

I was right, and it's the third one down.

'Nonnie

I just carried over a from the Forum & Firkin. It burns without a match! In fact, I started several infernos while spilling drops on the way here

I've noticed that the imbibed liquids on h2g2 seem to have a minimum of thrice the potency they would have in any other habitat.

correction: not so much imbibed as incubated!
But there may be a point to this: the alcoholic potency could be produced by unusually high levels of oxygen, which would in turn explain the unusually high number of intelligent and giggly persons I meet here!
Chris

give_it_to_my_wife.

I've been told ( although I admit never tried/seen ) that disolving something called Lipodium powder in water can result in it becoming "flamable". No idea if it's true or not, just thought I'd throw it up in the air for discussion.

LOL!

I wondered when -that- was coming.

Probably a catalyst which causes the oxygen and hydrogen to seperate slowly, creating a good medium for burning...

But most importantly - where can I buy it !!