All substances known to man are made of atoms which can be pictured (although modern science has shown this picture to be false, we still use it since it still can adequately describe most observable reactions atoms undergo) as having a central core made of tiny balls stuck together in a clump (see diagram 1). This clump is called the nucleus and is made of protons (these are positively charged) and neutrons (which have no electrical charge). We find other small balls (called electrons - these have a negative charge) orbiting the nucleus much as the moon orbits the earth. These 'orbits' (called energy shells and/or orbitals) are different energy levels the electrons can exist in. The orbital closest to the atom can hold only two electrons at one time. The next orbit out can hold eight electrons at one time.

When you put an atom of Oxygen together with two Hydrogen atoms, what is termed 'one molecule' of water results (Diagram 1). All water is made up of molecules. We really do not understand why, when these atoms come together in this form, the resulting substance takes on the properties it does (why is water wet, transparent, etc.?), but we do understand somewhat of how they 'stick together.' An Oxygen molecule has its lower orbital filled with two electrons, however it naturally occurs with only 6 electrons in its outer orbital. Since atoms always seek to have their orbitals filled to capacity, the Oxygen is seeking two more electrons.

Hydrogen has only one proton and one electron. This means that because it has only one electron in one orbital, it seeks another electron so its orbital is at its maximum capacity of two electrons.

When an Oxygen atom meets a Hydrogen atom, both decide to share an electron. This means the Hydrogen now has the two electrons it desires, but the Oxygen still is short by one electron. Along comes another Hydrogen who wants to share with the Oxygen. Both Hydrogens now have two electrons in their orbital and the oxygen has its outer orbital filled to its capacity with eight electrons. The atoms are now have what is termed a ’covalent' (or electron-sharing) bond between them. Now that all the atoms are content, we have a water molecule.

Getting back to the experiment: When we apply electricity to this covalent bond, its breaks. This procedure is called electrolysis. As the covalent bond is broken, the Oxygen naturally migrates to the positive electrode. This is probably due to when the covalent bonds are broken, the Oxygen ends up keeping the electrons from the Hydrogen atoms and therefore has two extra electrons. Since electrons, by nature, carry a negative charge, the Oxygen now has an overall charge of -2. Because opposite charges attract one another, the Oxygen migrates to the positive electrode.

Since it seems the Hydrogen has lost its electron, it is left with the positive charge from the proton. Therefore its overall charge of +1 makes it migrate to the negative electrode.

Oxygen and Hydrogen gases both consist of 'diatomic (two-atom)' molecules and therefore can be termed 'diatomic' gases. Each molecule of Oxygen is made of two Oxygen atoms bonded together. Each molecule of hydrogen gas is made of two atoms of Hydrogen bonded together. Keeping this in mind, when enough Oxygen atoms arrive at the positive electrode, they combine in pairs and form Oxygen gas. The same happens to the Hydrogen atoms arriving at the negative terminal, the atoms pair and form Hydrogen gas.

This brings us to one of the benefits of using water as our substance that we obtain Hydrogen from the Oxygen that is produced is also a very reactive gas. So by using this electrolysis unit, more dynamic combustion happens. Therefore less fuel is used.

Now that I had this concept to use, the other problem I faced was how to make enough of the gases so that it would actually make a difference in gas mileage. Another friend of mine told me it would take a truck sized piece of equipment being hauled around behind the car to make enough Hydrogen to burn. I did not believe it would be that hard.

By the addition of various substances to water, the volume of gases produced increases. I first though of salt, but this corrodes the electrodes too fast. The solution (pun intended) was to use small amounts of car battery (sulfuric) acid (which is made of two Hydrogen, one Sulfur, and four Oxygen atoms).