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Rapid extraction of Hydrogen from the atmosphere?
Is there a theoretical method of splitting air down and obtaining hydrogen? either by extraction of hydrogen or the depletion of electrons or splitting of atoms of say nitrogen to form hydrogen.
I ask as it seems that until we can solve the problem of reducing weight in rockets effective space travel will never work en-masse.
4 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
I have found information on the internet that points to the magnetic fields of the galaxy, stars and certain planets will enable a spacecraft to be driven by a magnetic drive. Energy would be obtain by fusing the gases found in space, hydrogen into helium and then oxygen...
- 1 decade ago
Pure hydrogen exists as H2 molecules. These molecules are too low mass to be effectively retained by the earth's gravity, so any molecular hydrogen in the atmosphere drifts off into space.
When hydrogen is needed, it is obtained by chemical methods from other compounds, i.e. by splitting water with electricity.
Alchemy was once popular, but with the advent of modern chemistry and physics, it has become clear that atoms can be changed from one to the other only under rare circumstances, i.e. uranium decays into lead. I don't think there is any way that nitrogen could be converted into hydrogen.
As for space travel, getting things out of the atmosphere isn't so difficult; probably the biggest problems have to do with the engineering necessary to make safe and durable habitats that can support life.
- mathematicianLv 71 decade ago
You can't 'split atoms of nitrogen to get hydrogen'.
The only hydrogen in the atmosphere is in the water vapor. So the only way to get hydrogen out of the atmosphere is to break up water molecules. It is easier to do this with liquid water.
It isn't clear what link this has to rocket weight.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
to get fuel on the go?
even if you had this ability, it wouldnt help a lot in space travel, since there is not a lot of hydrogen to fuel your ship in space