A vessel containing oxygen and hydrogen gases can exist indefinitely without exploding because the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen requires an activation energy to initiate the reaction.
can u explain this answer i donot understand
Sure! In order for a chemical reaction to occur, there needs to be enough energy for the reactant molecules to overcome the energy barrier called activation energy. This energy is required to break the chemical bonds between the atoms in the reactant molecules.
In the case of the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, there is a high activation energy that needs to be overcome for the reaction to start. This means that even if both gases are present in a vessel, they will not react unless a sufficient amount of energy is supplied to initiate the reaction.
In everyday conditions, the activation energy required for the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen is not normally supplied, so they can coexist in a vessel without exploding. However, if a spark, heat, or any other source of sufficient energy is added, it can provide the activation energy needed, and the reaction will occur rapidly, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of an explosion.
So, it's not until there is an external source of energy with sufficient activation energy to initiate the reaction that the oxygen and hydrogen will react and potentially cause an explosion.
Certainly! Let's break down the statement step by step:
1. "A vessel containing oxygen and hydrogen gases can exist indefinitely without exploding..." This means that if you have a container that holds oxygen and hydrogen gases, it will not explode on its own without any external factors.
2. "...because the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen requires an activation energy to initiate the reaction." The reaction being referred to here is the combustion or explosion that occurs when oxygen and hydrogen combine. This reaction requires an activation energy, which is the minimum amount of energy needed to start the reaction.
In simple terms, without a source of energy to provide the activation energy, the gases will not react and explode on their own. They will remain in the vessel as separate gases and coexist peacefully.
However, it is important to note that if a spark or flame is introduced into the vessel, it can provide the necessary activation energy for the reaction to occur, resulting in an explosion. Therefore, it is crucial to handle oxygen and hydrogen gases carefully and avoid any potential sources of ignition.
Of course! I'd be happy to explain this concept to you.
In order for a chemical reaction to occur, there needs to be a certain amount of energy to break the existing bonds and allow new bonds to form. This initial energy is called the activation energy. For the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen to proceed, it needs an activation energy to get started.
In the case of the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, both gases are highly reactive, and their combination can produce a significant amount of energy in the form of an explosion. However, simply having oxygen and hydrogen gases in a vessel together does not provide the activation energy needed to start the reaction.
Without an external source of energy, such as a spark or a flame, the activation energy requirement is not met, and the reaction won't occur spontaneously. So, the vessel can exist indefinitely without exploding because the activation energy needed to initiate the reaction is not present.
However, it's important to note that this does not mean the gases are completely stable or safe. Oxygen and hydrogen are still highly flammable and can react explosively if the activation energy is supplied somehow, such as through the introduction of a flame. That's why it's crucial to handle these gases with care and keep them away from potential ignition sources.