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H2O - 2 hydrogen,1 oxygen
if there is oxygen in the formula of water, why cant we breathe underwater?

2007-04-11 09:41:25 · 5 answers · asked by baseballnick211 2 in Science & Mathematics Chemistry

5 answers

Because they form compounds that are nothing like the original elements. It's like asking if we can breathe glucose (C6H12O6). Glucose and fat are composed from the same elements but are not alike. We also breathe O2 not O. Fish breathe the O2 dissolved in water and not the O in H2O.

2007-04-11 10:17:05 · answer #1 · answered by johnouyoung 2 · 0 0

The oxygen in water is chemically combined with the hydrogen, and to get the oxygen out would require a large amount of chemical energy, which we do not possess! For example, the oxygen can be obtained by electrolysis - but not human lungs.

2007-04-11 09:46:51 · answer #2 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0 0

you are able to, however the "water" ought to be a liquid containing plenty and a great number of oxygen. Deep diving fits use this technique. Watch the action picture, "The Abyss". The tournament exchange right into a prop, with liquid between 2 products of glass yet - in the journey that your version shows it - it exchange into deleted from the cinema and televison variations - the scene with the puppy rat respiration "underwater" exchange into for actual.

2016-12-20 11:52:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

those 2 hydrogen atoms wont let that oxygen atom go. bummer... when we get an inexpensive way to break that molecule apart -all our energy problems are solved. Look up electrolysis.

2007-04-11 09:54:15 · answer #4 · answered by monsterfromspace 3 · 0 0

Because the water itself causes the alveoli to collapse, prevent gas exchange from occuring.

2007-04-11 09:45:18 · answer #5 · answered by dixiechck615 3 · 0 1

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