Does Hydrogen burn alone?

Question

Does Hydrogen burn alone?
Does oxygen burn alone?
And did anyone believe Democritus at the time of his Atomos theory.

Answer 1

Burning is a form of oxidation so it requires oxygen. I am not sure whether or not O can burn on its own. Water can be thought of as the ashes of "burning" H and OH.

Did a search: oxygen does NOT burn alone. Please see:
http://www.bookrags.com/research/oxygen/

Answer 2

Burning is the common term for oxidation, albeit at a fast rate. NO element can be oxidized by itself, but oxygen is NOT necessary for oxidation! Concurrent with an oxidation reaction is a reduction reaction, and they are normally known as redox reactions.

* Oxidation describes the loss of electrons by a molecule, atom or ion
* Reduction describes the gain of electrons by a molecule, atom or ion

Hydrogen can be oxidized by many chemicals, including chlorine, creating hydrogen chloride. The H2 "burns" in the Cl2, but MUST have an oxidizer to produce a redox reaction.

Answer 3

Dont listen to any of the other answers, they are wrong, to have combustion, you need a fuel source (hydrogen), an oxidizer (oxygen) and an ignition source, neither H or O would burn alone,

Answer 4

oxygen burns alone; hydrogen needs oxygen to burn



EDIT- of course oxygen needs an ignition source...no one is suggesting that pure oxygen just sets itself off. fire is a process of oxidation- hydrogen, while HIGHLY combustible, needs oxygen to burn. pure oxygen and a spark equals a fireball- no hydrogen required

Answer 5

No, just a little fiery spark with a mixture of oxigen will enflame it

Answer 6

No, they require each other to combine and make the explosive energy.

Answer 7

i don't think either burn alone