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H2O / SCIENCE
IS WATER REALLY H2O?
from the desk of Joseph Patrick Jakubal
IS WATER ACTUALLY H2O? CHALLENGING THE STANDARD CHEMICAL DEFINITION
I decided to look a little deeper into this issue upon hearing about a book written by
Peter Peterson, i.e., "100 Reasons Water is Not H2O", which argues against the widely accepted scientific view
that water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
Peterson claims that water is instead a fundamental element that cannot be broken down or
created from other substances. His work raises questions about whether modern chemistry has overlooked key evidence.
KEY ARGUMENTS AGAINST WATER BEING H2O
1. No Direct Proof of Water Creation: Peterson points out that no experiment has conclusively shown liquid water
forming purely from hydrogen and oxygen gas reactions. In typical demonstrations, like "burning hydrogen", scientists
assume the resulting water comes from the reaction, but Peterson argues this is not proven.
2. Water Can Not Be Split Without Help: Electrolysis requires an electrolyte (like salt) to break water into
hydrogen and oxygen. Peterson suggests these gases may actually come from the added substances rather than the water
itself. Additionally, pure water does not conduct electricity, which raises doubts about electrolysis experiments.
3. Missing Chemical Tests: While chemists can test for impurities in water, there are no specific test proving
water is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL INCONSISTENCIES
Different States at Room Temperature: Hydrogen and oxygen are gases,
but water is a liquid. Peterson argues it is illogical that combining two gases would produce a liquid under the same
conditions.
Unexplained Temperature Differences: Hydrogen freezes
at -259 degree (C), while water freezes at 0 degree (C). Science does not clearly explain how these properties change
so drastically when bonded.
Flammability Contradiction: Water puts out fires, yet it is
supposedly made of hydrogen (highly flammable) and oxygen (supports combustion). This inconsistency is not
well explained.
Mass Discrepancies: The combined weight of hydrogen and oxygen is
almost double that of water, which does not align with standard atomic theory.
PROBLEMS WITH SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY
Peterson critiques historical experiments, like those by Lavoisier, for relying on
assumptions rather than direct proof. Early chemists often ignored factors like existing moisture in gas
supplies, leading to flawed conclusions. Additionally, electrolysis does not always produce hydrogen and oxygen
in the expected 2:1 ratio, suggesting the gases might come from other sources.
ALTERNATIVE VIEW: WATER AS A FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT
Peterson proposes that water is a basic element, not a compound. This
idea aligns with
ancient philosophies (like Greek and Vedic traditions) that listed water as one of the core elements (alongside
earth, air, and fire). Instead of being built from hydrogen and oxygen, water might act as a universal solvent,
breaking down other materials (like how it aids digestion or rusts metal).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
I find Peterson's arguments compelling, especially regarding the lack of direct
experimental proof for water as H2O. His critique of scientific assumptions highlights gaps in mainstream chemistry.
While his theory is unconventional, it encourages re-examining long held beliefs. Water's role in life processes
constantly creating and breaking down matter ... supports the idea that it is more fundamental than modern
science acknowledges. Whether or not water is truly elemental, Peterson's work challenges us to think critically
about scientific dogmas.
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