November 12

Lavoisier Discovers the Elements in Water

On this day in 1783, French scientist Antoine Lavoisier discovered the molecules that make up water. Lavoisier was studying combustion, which is the change that happens when a substance is combined with oxygen. (Fire is a type of combustion, which is why a fire must have oxygen in order to burn.)

Lavoisier combined some hydrogen gas and oxygen gas in a glass balloon. When he passed electricity through the balloon, he saw a spark and a new substance. He was surprised to find that the substance created was water!