Hydrogen - The Most Abundant Element

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Hydrogen
(Credit: ScienceStruck)
Group: 1
Block: s
Atomic Number (Number of protons): 1
Mass Number: 1


Hydrogen (H) is the first element of the periodic table. It stands alone on the top of group 1 column. Although, sometimes the element can be used as the example element along side the table. Hydrogen was discovered in the year 1766 by the natural scientist - Henry Cavendish. But, that doesn't mean that the element wasn't investigated until then. As in the 1500s, an alchemist called Paracelsus noted a flammable gas which came about when the alchemist place iron fillings into sulphuric acid. Another scientist known as Robert Boyle did the same experiment in 1671. It was only Henry Cavendish who investigated this flammable gas. Henry collected these bubbles and shown that this gas was different. Therefore, Henry Cavendish gets the credit. Later on in his life, Henry showed that this element produced water when it is ironically burnt. This was when hydrogen gets its name...
...Basically, the name 'Hydrogen' comes from the French scientist - Antoine Lavoisier. He used two Greek words, hydro and genes which means water forming.


The hydrogen element is a very simple one which is flammable, colourless and odourless gas. Atomically, the element has one, positively charged, proton which accompanied by one, negatively charged, electron. The nucleus is in the centre of the atom which houses the singular proton along with, on occasional neutron with some isotopes (Same element, different components).


Side fact - The isotope of hydrogen is called deuterium which has twice the mass of the normal hydrogen. It was found in the year 1931 by Harold Urey and his colleagues at Columbia University.


Essential for Life


This element is present in the composition of water - H2O. It is also present in such simple and most required compounds like amino acids (the smaller unit of proteins), carbohydrates along with fats. Though itself doesn't have an active role. It is bound to Carbon or Oxygen to make the components that are.


It's Everywhere!


Hydrogen is the most abundant element of the periodic table. It was found in the Sun, most of the stars as well as Jupiter. In Earth, most of the hydrogen is kept within water Any hydrogen that manages to escape into the atmosphere can quickly escape into space.


How do We Use Hydrogen?


  1. As a clean source of fuel - in the form of water, the element returns back to water once the hydrogen is burnt. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are increasing getting used now.
  2. In glass production - A protective atmosphere of hydrogen is used for the flat sheets
  3. Filling an airship... Well, we did until 1937. It was lighter than air but had a vigorous reaction with Oxygen. It was until the Hindenburg disaster on the 6th of May that we realised why we shouldn't (See below).
The Hindenburg Disaster of the 6th May 1937
(Credit: Wikipedia)

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