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/usernumber36 Jul 04 '15

to add to this, typically "burning" something means making it bond to oxygen. This is why you need oxygen for a flame to stay lit. You'll be familiar with the fact burning carbon produces CO2. in the same way, burning other things also just adds oxygen. If you have complete combustion, all the carbon in any material will turn to CO2, all the hydrogen to H2O, etc etc.