How to Make Water with Oxygen & Hydrogen

Water is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. In its gaseous form, hydrogen atoms bond into pairs. The same is true for oxygen. You might think you could mix a certain number of H2 atoms in their gaseous state with half the number of O2 atoms and come away with water. Unfortunately, the chemical reaction that forms water isn't quite that simple.
Making water from hydrogen gas and oxygen gas requires a catalyst. Both heat and platinum can work to trigger the desired reaction. Heat can produce explosive and dangerous results, as hydrogen gas is very flammable. Platinum provides a safer option.

Things You'll Need

• Tank of hydrogen gas
• Safety goggles
• Platinum-plated 1/8 inch pellets
• Wire mesh
• Regulator hose and glass pipet

Instructions

Create Water with a Catalyst

1. Fit the wire mesh over a suspended iron ring or over the top of a non-flammable container. Rest two platinum-plated pellets on the wire mesh. Make sure they cannot roll easily. You may need to create a depression in the mesh to hold them securely against the pressure of the hydrogen gas passing over them.

2. Put on your safety goggles.

3. Use the regulator hose and glass pipet to create a method of releasing the hydrogen gas from the tank and directing it over the platinum pellets.

4. Point the pipet at the platinum pellets keeping it six to 10 centimeters from the pellets. Allow the hydrogen gas to flow at 10 pounds per square inch (according to the gauge) over the platinum pellets. When the hydrogen gas comes into contact with the platinum, a chemical reaction occurs that results in the release of heat. The pellets with glow and a flame will form. The bond between the paired hydrogen atoms is broken allowing the free hydrogen atoms to react with oxygen in the air forming water.

5. Adjust the distance of the hydrogen flow over the pellets to maximize the size of the flame, which can get up to 25 centimeters in length.

6. Do not expect to produce large amounts of water from this technique. The experiment results in the formation of water vapor, and is the safest way to make water from hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Tips & Warnings

• Hydrogen is very flammable, so do this experiment only in a well-ventilated place where the hydrogen gas can dissipate quickly.

References

• University of Minnesota, Department of Chemistry
• Physics Van, hydrogen, oxygen and water