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A Water Molecule's Chemical Formula Isn't Really H20

hackwrench writes "According to this article in Physics News Update, a water molecule's chemical formula is really not H2O, at least from the perspective of neutrons and electrons interacting with the molecule for only attoseconds (less than 10-15 seconds). According to new and recent experiments, neutrons and electrons colliding with water for just attoseconds will see a ratio of hydrogen to oxygen of roughly 1.5 to 1, so a more accurate formula for water under these circumstances would be H1.5O."

1 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Can you say WRONG by damien_kane · · Score: 2, Flamebait

    Maybe they used an old Pentium processor...

    So that's how they got the extra hydrogen in there...
    Add a little hydrofluoric acid and poof!!!

    2 HF + 2 H2O + 2 O2 => 2 H3O2 + 2 FOOF