How much chemistry background do you have? The 2 used in the formula is a subscript for hydrogen not a multiplier for oxygen. If a subscript is used it relates to the preceding element, in this case hydrogen. There are two atoms of hydrogen bound to one atom of oxygen.
Dihydrogen monoxide hoax
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"Dihydrogen monoxide" redirects here. For the H2O molecule, see Water (molecule).
Water consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
The dihydrogen monoxide hoax involves the use of an unfamiliar name for water, then listing some negative effects of water, then asking individuals to help control the seemingly dangerous substance. The hoax is designed to illustrate how the lack of scientific knowledge and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears.[1] "Dihydrogen monoxide", shortened to "DHMO", is a name for water that is consistent with chemical nomenclature, but that is almost never used.
A popular version of the hoax was created by Eric Lechner, Lars Norpchen and Matthew Kaufman, housemates while attending UC Santa Cruz in 1990,[2] revised by Craig Jackson in 1994,[3] and brought to widespread public attention in 1997 when Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old student, gathered petitions to ban "DHMO" as the basis of his science project, titled "How Gullible Are We?"[4]
"Dihydrogen monoxide" may sound dangerous to those with a limited knowledge of chemistry or who hold to an ideal of a "chemical-free" life (chemophobia).[4] The only familiar common usage of the term "monoxide" is in the highly poisonous gas "carbon monoxide", and the simplified term "monoxide poisoning" is commonly used to refer to poisoning by this colorless and odorless substance.[5] Health officials frequently advise the purchase of carbon monoxide detectors to protect against this poison, which is sometimes referred to simply as "monoxide".
