Hydrogen

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Hydrogen
General Info
Atomic Symbol	H
Atomic Number	1
Atomic Weight	1.00794 g/mol1.008 amu
Chemical series	Nonmetals
Appearance	colorless
Group, Period, Block	1, 1, s
Electron configuration	1s1
Electrons per shell	1,
CAS number	[1333-74-0]
Physical properties
Phase	gas
Density	0.00008988 g/cm3
Melting point	14.01 K-259.14 °C -434.452 °F 25.218 °R
Boiling point	20.28 K-252.87 °C -423.166 °F 36.504 °R
Isotopes of Hydrogen
iso NA half-life DT DE (MeV) DP 1H 99.985% H is stable with 0 neutrons. 2H 0.015% H is stable with 1 neutrons. 3H trace 12.32 y β− 0.019 3He
All properties are for STP unless otherwise stated.

Hydrogen is the first element on the Periodic Table of Elements. The word 'Hydrogen' comes from the Greek words 'hydro' (water) and 'genes' (generate). Hydrogen's atomic symbol is 'H', its atomic number is '1', and it's atomic mass is 1.00794. The following sections of this article tell about hydrogen and show some of the ways humans make use of hydrogen on a daily basis.

Contents 1 Properties 2 Uses 3 Isotopes 4 Occurrences 5 Hydrogen Bonds 6 References 7 See Also

Properties

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and has the least mass of all elements. It is completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Hydrogen is known as the most flammable of all known substances, and about 75% of the most abundant compounds contain hydrogen. It is also burned in rocket combustion chambers (engines) to provide thrust for the plane or rocket.

Hydrogen can be absorbed by many metals, and it is slightly more soluble in organic solvents than in water. [1] Most organic compounds, living organisms, and water contain hydrogen. Hydrogen is used to upgrade fossil fuels and most recently has begun to be used as a power source for fuel cells. This element is also used in thousands of everyday objects, such as butters, glass, soaps, and many more. Hydrogen has three isotopes: Hydrogen (Protium), Deuterium, and Tritium and is the only element whose isotopes have their own names. Hydrogen was discovered in 1766 by Henry Cavendish. It is found in stars, planets, nebulae and floating free in outer space.

Uses

Hydrogen has the potential to be a very efficient fuel source. Hydrogen is most commonly obtained as a byproduct of natural gas production, it is also possible to produce hydrogen through the electrolysis of water but this is less efficient for large scale industrial production. One of the biggest uses of hydrogen is a fuel for combustion. Combustion of hydrogen works in internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and in rocket ships or jets. [2]

Hydrogen is also used in fuel cells. A fuel cell is a device that produces a continuous electrical current from the combination of hydrogen with oxygen, and/or another substance. For example, fuel cells are used on the space shuttle to provide electricity needed for the operation of the shuttle. The combination of hydrogen, oxygen, and other substances creates electricity, heat, and breathable oxygen for the astronauts aboard. [3]

There are thousands of things hydrogen is used for; it is used to produce: ammonia, gasoline, heating oil, fertilizer, glass, metal, vitamins, makeup, soaps, and even margarine and peanut butter! Also, wind power and hydroelectric plants produce hydrogen in order to store energy during off peak times. [4]

Isotopes

Main Article: Isotopes

Hydrogen, unlike any other element in the Periodic Table of Elements, is the only element whose isotopes are named. Hydrogen has three isotopes: Protium, Deuterium, and Tritium. Each of these isotopes have one proton, one electron to balance it, and different numbers of neutrons. Protium has no neutrons, deuterium has one neutron, and tritium has two neutrons. The nuclear symbols of hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium are: ¹H, ²H, and ³H. [5] Deuterium Oxide (D₂0), also known as 'heavy-water', is found in ordinary water and is also used as a moderator in nuclear reactors. Deuterium is used very greatly in scientific research; it has been made possible to study chemical reaction mechanisms because of the use of deuterium atoms as tracers. Tritium (T) is a radioactive gas that is produced in nuclear reactors and occurs often in atmospheric hydrogen. Tritium is used in hydrogen bombs, tracers, and types of paint. The melting point of Tritium (4.49 degrees C) is higher than that of deuterium oxide. [6] Both Protium and Deuterium are stable, but Tritium is unstable and has a half-life of 12.32 years.[7]

Occurrences

Hydrogen was first recognized as a distinct substance in 1766 by Henry Cavendish, an English chemist and physicist, who described it as "inflammable air from metals". It was officially named by A.L. Lavoisier in 1783. [8] Hydrogen is found in great abundance in many stars and planets. Molecular hydrogen clouds are also associated with star formation. Hydrogen is most always found in its atomic and plasma states. Hydrogen gas is very rare in planet Earth's atmosphere because of it's light weight. Heavier gases are more common on earth because lighter gases can escape from the Earth's gravity easier. Most of the hydrogen found on the Earth is found in the form of chemical compounds, such as hydrocarbons and water.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonding occurs when two electronegative atoms, such as oxygen and nitrogen, interact with the same hydrogen. This is also known as a strong form of intermolecular interaction. Hydrogen bonding is a strong form of intermolecular attraction. There are many elements that will combine with hydrogen to form compounds, in this case, also known as "hybrides". Hydrogen bonds, which are constantly being broken and reformed in water, have approximately 1/10 the strength of an average covalent bond. Every water molecule can potentially form four hydrogen bonds with the help of its surrounding water molecules. [9]

References

• Chemical Properties of Hydrogen Lenntech Water treatment & air purification Holding B.V.
• History of Hydrogen Mark Winter
• Hydrogen Facts A.M. Helmenstine Ph.D
• How Hydrogen Can Be Used Margot Vigeant
• Hydrogen Wikipedia
• Discovery of Hydrogen The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia
• Hydrogen's Isotopes Nuclear Science Division

• The Isotopes and Forms of Hydrogen The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia
• Many Uses of Hydrogen hydrogennow.com
• Hydrogen Bonding Jim Clark

See Also

• Periodic Table of Elements
• Elements
• Atoms
• Chemistry