If the melting temperature of hydrogen is -259°C and the melting temperature of oxygen is -218°C then why is the melting temperature of water (H2O) 0°C?

Question

Shouldn’t it be around -245°C?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

This may be explaining it a bit too simply, so I invite anyone to give a better detailed answer. But the reason is because you aren’t averaging out the properties of the two chemicals. You are adding the two to make an entirely new substance with its own properties.