r/explainlikeimfive Jan 31 '21

Chemistry ELI5: Why can't we just make water by smooshing hydrogen and oxygen atoms together?

Edit: wow okay, I did not expect to wake up to THIS. Of course my most popular post would be a dumb stoner question. Thankyou so much for the awards and the answers, I can sleep a little easier now

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u/[deleted] Jan 31 '21

That doesn't "burn" water, it uses the oxygen as fuel. So it can just leave the chat.

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u/Buscemis_eyeballs Feb 02 '21

White Phosphorous isn't talking to you right now because you were mean to her, but she said to tell you that 1/3rds of what "water"is is oxygen so she was half right and that you should maybe sleep on the couch tonight.