Why doesn't water burn?

Weather of Arabia - Water is a chemical compound consisting of two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom , and although it is characterized by its unique and necessary properties for life, it does not burn, and this matter is considered an interesting chemical mystery, and to understand why water does not burn, you must look at the combustion process, and to The basic elements you control.

What is combustion?

Answer: Combustion is a chemical reaction that results in the release of thermal energy, as oxygen combines with combustible chemicals to form new compounds. To start any combustion process, three basic elements must be present, known as the combustion triangle, which include:

• Fuel: A substance that can combust, such as wood or tar.
• Air: It acts as a source of oxygen necessary for the reaction, and oxygen is the component that participates in combustion, and contributes to the formation of the final compounds.
• Heat: The ignition temperature that is sufficient to initiate the combustion process and facilitate its spread.

Why doesn't water burn?

We can point out that the reason why the properties of individual atoms change completely when they combine into molecules is due to the nature of the chemical combination. For example, salt is commonly added to food, even though it consists of elements that may seem dangerous on their own. Each molecule of salt It contains an atom of chlorine, which is a toxic gas, and one atom of sodium, which reacts violently if exposed to water.

To understand this phenomenon better, we can ask some questions:

Why can't you breathe water, even though it contains oxygen?

Why can't water balloons float in the air, even though they contain hydrogen and oxygen?

Answer: The reason that water is not combustible is that it is the product of a combustion process, and just as it is said that the origin of water is its emergence from fire.
The chemical equation for this reaction: 2H2 + O2 = 2H2O Water is a compound consisting of two basic elements, oxygen and hydrogen.

Oxygen , which is needed for combustion to occur, is the first element, and hydrogen is the second element that is used in making hydrogen bombs, which are considered one of the most dangerous weapons in the world. However, despite the presence of these two elements in the composition of water, the properties of the compound are completely different from the properties of the constituent elements. To him, when two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen combine together to form a water molecule, a change occurs in their chemical interactions and the distribution of their electrons, and this leads to the formation of molecular bonds that make water a stable compound that is completely different from the individual hydrogen and oxygen.

Simply put, when atoms combine to form water , their properties change and they have a different consistency. The water envelops the fires with a layer of steam, and this prevents oxygen from reaching the source of combustion, and extinguishes the fires. Therefore, although oxygen and hydrogen are present in the composition of water, its molecular properties The various components make it non-flammable and an effective solution for extinguishing fires.

The bonds formed in the H2O molecule are stable, and cannot have a reaction on their own. This is the reason why water does not burn, and it may be used under certain conditions to put out fires.

Also know:

Drinking water... great benefits that many do not know

Strange facts about water that you hear for the first time!

Sources:

alarabiya

almanar

mawdoo3.com