Question

Name the scientist who proved that hydrogen was a component of water.

Answer 1

• Henry Cavendish in 1766 recognised hydrogen gas as an element. He found this gas during a reaction between zinc metal and hydrochloric acid. He named this gas 'inflammable air'.

$\mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\uparrow \left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

• He also found that when hydrogen is burnt, it combines with oxygen and forms water(H₂O).

$2{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$

Therefore, Henry Cavendish is the scientist who proved that hydrogen is a component of water.