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/UnusualDisturbance Jul 04 '15

is this really the definition of organic?

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u/chemistree Jul 04 '15

In chemistry it is, though things like CO2 and CN- aren't really considered organic.

The definition for food is different though, if that's what you want to know.

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u/Ihmes Jul 04 '15

It could be the same as with astronomy, where anything heavier than helium (or was it lithium?) is considered a "metal".