Can you burn water?

Question

I saw this video on myspace videos and it had a person filling up a glass of water, then putting 2 batteries in the water for 40 minutes. He then lit a match to it and the water ignited.

Is this true or did he fake it?

Answer 1

When something burns it combines with oxygen. Water is the result to
hydrogen "burning"... it already combined with oxygen. You really could
say that it already burnt and therefore will not burn again. A simple
answer.
Larry Krengel
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem99/chem99448.htm

Answer 2

It probably wan't the water that ignited, it was some chemical that leaked out of the batteries. another possibility is that the current running through the water split it up into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis. I don't see that burning, though. Usually the hydrogen forms bubbles on one terminal and the oxygen forms bubbles on the other. but for it to burn, there would have to be hydrogen at the surface. Water itself can't burn, it can only boil. but hydrogen can burn, and electrical currents can split water into hydrogen and oxygen, so I would say there is a possibility.

Answer 3

Clearly you cant burn water, I don't know the exact formula and what not, but the batterys emitted something that allowed the flames to appear to be burning the water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K70JzbIgVIE

So you all can see it :)

steve_geo1 is probably right, he looks like a smart cookie

Answer 4

The person carried out the reaction 2H2O ===> O2 + 2H2 and lit the hydrogen. 2H2 + O2 ==> 2H2O. This was true, but he wasn't telling the truth.

Answer 5

yeah its true i did it before

Answer 6

it burns my soul

Answer 7

yes it is true.