Water can burn when 'charged up' with batteries?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a claim that water can burn after being "charged up" with batteries, as demonstrated in a popular online video. Participants explore the validity of this claim, questioning the experimental setup and potential explanations for the observed phenomenon. The scope includes skepticism, experimental replication, and theories regarding the chemistry involved.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the phenomenon may be a type of electrolysis, although they later state that it does not work.
  • Multiple participants express skepticism about the claim that water can burn, with one noting the simplicity of the experiment makes it easy to reproduce and potentially disprove.
  • Concerns are raised that the video may be misleading, with one participant suggesting that the liquid could actually be alcohol rather than water.
  • Another theory proposes that the batteries might leak acids into the water, which could create a flammable mixture, and questions the integrity of the video’s presentation.
  • Several participants report that many viewers have commented that the experiment does not work, indicating a broader skepticism.
  • One participant categorically labels the claim as a hoax, suggesting a pattern of similar misleading science experiments on platforms like YouTube.
  • A light-hearted comment references "firewater," reinforcing the idea that the liquid is likely alcohol.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the claim that water can burn, with multiple competing views regarding the nature of the liquid in the video and the validity of the experiment. No consensus is reached on the actual mechanism or truth of the claim.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential for misleading representations in online videos and the simplicity of the experiment, which may lead to varying interpretations and outcomes. The discussion highlights the need for careful consideration of experimental claims in popular media.

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i found this online, he puts two batteries in a glass of water for 30 minutes, then removes the batteries, and the water lights with a flame. Its been favorited by 6000 people so it seems to be popular. How does that work? i presume that its a type of electrolysis?

EDIT: DOES NOT WORK!
 
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I am highly, highly skeptical that it is actually water burning.
Due to the simplicity of this ‘experiment’, it is very easy to reproduce it oneself and disprove the claim.

I think the video may be a fake.
On video, water and alcohol look identical, so it would be easy to claim it is water in the cup when, in fact, it is alcohol.
 
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mrjeffy321 said:
I am highly, highly skeptical that it is actually water burning.
Due to the simplicity of this ‘experiment’, it is very easy to reproduce oneself and disprove it.

I think the video may be a fake.
On video, water and alcohol look identical, so it would be easy to claim it is water in the cup when, in fact, it is alcohol.

good point! this should have gone in the debunking section. I'll try to reproduce it, but I'm not optomistic anything will happen.
 
I have another theory. If you notice, in the video, he specifically states to leave the batteries in the water for thirty to forty minutes. And if I'm right, the batteries which were shown on the video were energizer, which cannot be charged, for they have a chance of exploding or catching on fire. What if the water soaked through the outer covering of the batteries and dissolved the acids in the batteries? then that would certainly enable the water to "burn" for a few seconds. He might have even added more batteries and left them in, increasing the potentiality for the water to "burn" before he filmed the stunt and put it online. Then, all he had to do was do the short version: Fill a glass of water and put two batteries in it. Then, stop recording, switch it with the "charged" glass of water and add two batteries, start filming again, remove the two batteries, and light it on fire.
 
It does not work, i looked it up elsewhere, and if you read the comments loads just say 'does not work'.

Think how many people have wasted batteries trying this, its only been up a week and its had over 1,300,000 views :biggrin:, i got pretty close to trying it myself.
 
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This is a hoax. Moving to skepticism/debunking, but I'm not even sure that's necessary.

I don't watch a lot of YouTube, but is there a lot of this type of thing there? This isn't the first YouTube science experiment hoax we've seen.
 
Haven't you ever heard of firewater? :biggrin:

Yes, it is alcohol.
 

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