Why is the only byproduct of burning hydrogen water?

1 Answer
Feb 21, 2015

The word "hydrogen" is Greek for "water-former".

If fuels are burned, the elements in the fuel combine with oxygen to form oxides. In hydrogen only hydrogen-oxide (=water) can be formed, as no other elements are present.

If hydrogen H_2 is burned, it connects to oxygen O_2 in a ratio of 2:1 as follows:

2H_2+O_2->2H_2O which is water.

Extra:
Most fuels contain other elements, like carbon (C)
Carbon combines with oxygen to carbondioxide (CO_2)

Example : natural gas or methane (CH_4) burns like:

CH_4+2O_2->CO_2+2H_2O

So the carbon-atom burns to carbondioxide, and the hydrogen burns to water (vapour).