2007-02-08 00:29:08 · 8 answers · asked by Sierra 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
They are both highly flammable alone, because their electron configuration is such that they are inherently unstable. This means that they react easily with other elements, for example in a fire.
Once they combine to form water, the electron configuration is changed, making water a much more stable substance than either of its base elements.
2007-02-08 00:36:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
If oxygen and hydrogen are both highly flammable elements, then why doesn't water catch fire?
2015-08-06 11:49:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, Oxygen is not highly flammable, nor even flammable. It is combustion supporting... meaning, that Oxygen must be present for a substance to burn, and if a substance is in the presence of higher concentrations of Oxygen, it will burn more readily. To repeat myself, a substance which is in an atmosphere devoid of oxygen, will not burn.
Hydrogen also is NOT highly flammable. Many believe that is is 'highly flammable' but that is a misconception held by many people due to the well known hindenburg air disaster, which actually had nothing to do with hydrogen, but instead the metallic coating of the airship.
When two hydrogen atoms are combined with one oxygen atom you get a water molecule. This is due to the reaction which occurs when these atoms join, thus producing a liquid (water) which is not flammable.
2007-02-08 01:00:46 · answer #3 · answered by Su Z Cue 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Flammable Elements
2016-11-09 22:06:09 · answer #4 · answered by vaudreuil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oxygen is not flammable , it helps promote a fire, so thereby if you have a situation with low oxygen, such as in a house fire , the fire wont spread as quickly. Some fire extinguishers use a chemical that wicks away the oxygen and smothers the fire.
2007-02-08 00:42:39 · answer #5 · answered by certifiably_a_nut 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't the ashes burn in your fire place?
They are the product of combustion.
Water is the product of combustion of oxygen and hydrogen,
2007-02-08 00:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See
the basic property of all compounds is that they dont exhibit characterstic properties of their consttuents
take any example
take Ferric sulphide is neither magnetic nor does it stinks
same goes for water
it doesn't cacthes fire.
:-)
2007-02-08 00:39:24 · answer #7 · answered by Arjun V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a compound has different properties from its elements. unless it is a mixture, it would be have the same properties (:
2007-02-08 00:33:37 · answer #8 · answered by pigley 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
water is whats left after they burn
2007-02-08 00:33:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they cancel each other out....maybe.... something like that...
2007-02-08 00:36:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋