Well, technically the nucleus of an atom is held together by the Strong Force (which my understanding is that we don't completely understand) and electrons are mostly held to a nucleus by electromagnetic forces (positive attracted to netagive). Molecules work by sharing electrons - Oxygen tries to teal Hydrogen's electrons, but Hydrogen doesn't let go, in the process Oxygen develops a slight negative charge and Hydrogen a slight positive, and, voila, you have water.

And, yeah, if someone finds a way to break molecules down into atoms (essentially eliminate atomic bonds) will be 1) very impressed and 2) very scared. The only think with Dakara is I don't see how that would single out lifeforms - one O-H bond would look the same as another whether water molecule was in me, my cat, the river or a glacier (okay, it'll look slightly different frozen)

Huh. Because I'm pretty sure during the tv run the Stargate doesn't suck. Hmm.