Water (H₂O) is a compound, while hydrogen and oxygen are elements
Answers
Answer:
A chemical compound is a chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements, with a fixed ratio determining the composition. ... For example, water (H2O) is a compound consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom.
Explanation:
Explanation:
This basically tells us that the water molecule is composed of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen or, more precisely, two hydrogen atoms (H2) and one oxygen atom (O). Hydrogen and oxygen are gases at room temperature. So, does this mean that we can just combine both gases and then we get water? It is not quite as simple as that. What is missing in the equation is the energy component of the chemical reaction. Making water from its elements produces a large amount of energy. Chemical reactions that produce energy are also called exothermic reactions. In the case of hydrogen and oxygen the released energy is so high that it is almost impossible to control, and most of the time it leads to an explosion. Luckily, this reaction does not occur spontaneously and only happens when you ignite the gas mixture with a lighter.
When electrical current is applied to the electrodes, the ions (electrically charged atoms) in the electrolyte—including the positively charged protons (H+) and negatively charged hydroxyl ions (OH-) that result from the self-ionization of water—start moving toward the electrode with the opposite charge where either hydrogen or oxygen is produced. You can see this for yourself in this activity and even capture both gases!
Materials
Waterproof work area
Adult helper
Mechanical pencil graphite (thick enough that it does not break)—or a wooden pencil and a knife with which to have your adult helper extract the graphite
Glue
Play-Doh or other clay
Two or three disposable plastic cups (Clear plastic 18-ounce cups work best.)
Scissors
Permanent marker
Two metal thumbtacks
Distilled water
Baking soda
Nine-volt battery
Two transparent straws (jumbo size)
Teaspoon
Medical dropper
Timer
Paper towels
pH test strips (optional)
Table salt (sodium chloride—NaCl)