Answer to Question #164394 in Molecular Physics | Thermodynamics for anna francisco

Question

A member of the Congress proposed a scheme to produce energy as follows. Water molecules (H₂O are to be broken apart to produce hydrogen and oxygen. he hydrogen is then burned (that is, combined with oxygen), releasing the energy in the process. The only product of this combustion is water, so there is no pollution. In light of the second law of thermodynamics, what do you think of this energy producing scheme?

Answer 1

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.