Not sure how this can get, but how is that two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen combine into something (water) that’s heavier than air even though they’re lighter than air separately?

Question

Not sure how this can get, but how is that two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen combine into something (water) that’s heavier than air even though they’re lighter than air separately?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Strong inter-molecular forces make water pack together much more tightly than air, at the same temperature.

More tightly packed, per unit volume, allows the mass rise compared to free gaseous oxygen and hydrogen.

Diatomic oxygen molecules don’t particularly care about their neighbors. Neither does diatomic hydrogen. Water has an unequal distribution of charge and feels the presence of it’s neighbors.