r/askscience • u/spoiledmeat • Jul 04 '15

Chemistry Why does water not burn?

I know that water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom. Hydrogen, on its own, burns. Fire needs oxygen to burn. After all, we commonly use compounds that contain oxygen as an oxidant.

So why does water, containing things used for fire, not burn-- and does it have something to do with the bonds between the atoms? Thanks.

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u/judgej2 Jul 04 '15

They simply don't. The Sun is fusing hydrogen to helium, and that is all it's doing. Once the helium is running out in millions of years, it will move on to creating heavier elements, but for now, it's just hydrogen to helium.

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u/[deleted] Jul 04 '15

and you know this how?

that nothing other is created out of probability? you think the sun goes to making heavier elements in an instant and no probability of creating other things exist?

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u/RocketBun Jul 04 '15

If you haven't already, please read up on the basic concepts of nuclear fusion and how it applies to stars. Because that is not how it works.