Final answer:
The second man in the joke died because he inadvertently consumed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) rather than water (H2O), highlighting the importance of proper chemical nomenclature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second man in the joke dies because when he asked for "H2O too," the bartender misunderstood and gave him H2O2, which is hydrogen peroxide, not water. While the original molecule H2O (water) is safe to drink, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a harmful chemical that can be fatal if ingested. The seriousness of the joke underscores the importance of chemical nomenclature in safety; understanding the difference between substances, as simple as adding a subscript, changes the nature of the chemical and its safety drastically.