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I have read that hydrogen can undergo self-heating, through a catalytic process, without the presence of oxygen or air. Is that true? Discuss.

User Ayls
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Final answer:

Hydrogen cannot self-heat through a catalytic process without the presence of oxygen. It needs oxygen to react, which is essential for its use in catalytic processes such as fuel cells, where it combines with oxygen to generate electricity.

Step-by-step explanation:

No, the information provided does not suggest that hydrogen can undergo self-heating through a catalytic process without the presence of oxygen or air. Hydrogen is indeed used in fuel cells and catalytic processes to generate electricity by combining with oxygen in a controlled manner, which is highly efficient and nonpolluting.

However, hydrogen's reaction and combustion require the presence of oxygen. In the absence of oxygen, hydrogen does not react and hence cannot generate heat or combust on its own. Therefore, the self-heating of hydrogen requires oxygen or another oxidizer to facilitate a reaction.

User Arok
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