A question for the scientists on here

[TopGun]

Here's a couple of questions for my scientist friends about water... Do H2O molecules ever split up or swap component atoms naturally in the company of one another and in different physical states of ice, water and steam? Or is each molecule locked together as atoms in a permanent threesome for perpetuity?

[Saint_Abroad]

Steam equals a big break up between Oxygen and his two jealous lovers, Hydrogen.

 

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/science/changing_matter/index.htm

[Whitey Grandad]

From memory, I think what you are talking about is dissociation which increase with higher temperatures. Covalent bonds are very strong but there is always some movement and this increases with higher activation energies. External stimulus in the form of radiation or electrical discharge also increases the process. There's a short article here:

 

http://chemistry.proteincrystallography.org/article36.html

[TopGun]

Thanks. Points me in the right direction!

[Whitey Grandad]

Thanks. Points me in the right direction!

 

Always a pleasure

 

It occurred to me later when I woke up a bit that if you put enough energy in you can accelerate the process:

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water