Hydrogen can be defined as a chemical element symbolised with an alphabet H and atomic number 1. Compared to the other elements, hydrogen is the lightest element. Hydrogen can be defined as a gas signified by the formula H2 and comprises diatomic molecules.
It is tasteless, colourless, and non-toxic. Hydrogen is a chemical substance that is roughly 75% present in all substances. Considering at cosmic level, the sun mainly comprises hydrogen. Hydrogen present on Earth exists as diatomic molecules to form compounds and water.
Hydrogen gas is non-metallic except in an environment of extremely high pressure. To carry out acid-base reactions, hydrogen plays a vital role insoluble molecules as it usually involves the exchange of protons.
In the early 16th century, Hydrogen gas was first produced as artificial gas with the help of different reactions on metals. The first person to identify hydrogen gas as a distinct substance was “Henry Cavendish”. He also recognized that burning hydrogen forms water. Hence, hydrogen was later known for its unique Greek characteristics and was named “ Water former”.
Hydrogen comprises three types of Isotopes: Protium, Deuterium, and Tritium. Out of all three Isotopes, Tritium is considered to be radioactive.
If we speak about the placement of Hydrogen in a Periodic Table, then it is the first element to be placed. Although, the placement of hydrogen has been a matter of discussion in the past. As we all know, all the Periodic table elements are arranged as per their electronic configuration.
The electronic configuration of hydrogen is 1s1, but on the other hand, its electronic configuration is similar to alkali metals which is ns1 which holds a position in the first group of the periodic table. However, halogens hold the seventeenth position in a periodic table.
Therefore, hydrogen has a similarity with alkali metals which form negative ions. Along with alkali, it also has similarities with Halogens, in which metals include positive ions.
Despite the similarity with alkali metals and halogens, hydrogen differs from the same. But the question remains where precisely should hydrogen be placed?
If in a Hydrogen atom one electron is lost, it results in a nucleus(H+) whose size is ~ 1.5×10-3 which is too tiny compared to regular ionic and atomic sizes. As a result, the existence of hydrogen is not independent, and therefore, it is always linked with other molecules.
As hydrogen is unique in its behavioural trait, it is placed individually in a periodic table.
Hydrogen is defined as one of the lightest elements explosive in the presence of a flame, sunlight, or any spark. Despite its stable nature, hydrogen forms different types of bonds and is present in various types of compounds as well.
Properties of Hydrogen are classified into two types-
Hydrogen is a form of gas that is naturally present in an atmosphere. But if converted into the purest form, it is highly flammable.
Uses of hydrogen are as follows:
Hydrogen, the lightest element, is tasteless, colourless, and non-toxic. Despite its similarity with Alkali metals and halogens, it occupies a space separately in the periodic table because of its unique characteristics. Hydrogen comprises three types of Isotopes: Protium, Deuterium, and Tritium, out of which Tritium is radioactive. Hydrogen is used mainly in gas welding, automobile fuel, and petroleum refinery.
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