Possibly the most well-known scientific formula on the planet, H2O is one of those terms that we see around all the time. We know that H2O means water, and that a water molecule is composed of two hydrogen (H) atoms & one oxygen (O) atom, but have we ever seen this formula proven?
Above, a clip from the 1987 miniseries The Ring of Truth: An Inquiry into How We Know What We Know.
It was hosted and narrated by Philip Morrison, who wrote it with art and science educator Phylis Morrison. Watch as two units of hydrogen are combined with two units of oxygen over and over again. What happens every time?
Also from the miniseries: Molten gold transforms into gold leaf and noodles demonstrate the principle of halving.
Bonus: Use a 9-volt battery to break water into its elemental components.
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