Science Corner - Get To Know About Hydrogen

Good Day Great Steemians. I feel delighted to write about the scientific element known as Hydrogen.

This is a very popular element as it is a good component of many compounds or mixtures that are necessary for life on earth like Air, Water and so on.

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Hydrogen is the first element in the Periodic table of chemical Elements although being a gas. it has an atomic number and mass number of one(1). it is the lightest of all elements. it's chemical formula is H₂ because it is a diatomic gas. It is an odourless, tasteless and colorless gas at room temperature.

Hydrogen forms a single covalent bond with most nonmetallic elements in the formation of organic compounds.
Hydrogen plays an extremely important role in acid–base reactions since these reactions mostly involve the exchange of protons between soluble molecules.
In ionic compounds, hydrogen can act as an anion where it is identified as a hydride, or possibly as a cation.

Brief History of Hydrogen

Hydrogen was discovered by Henry Cavendish (The Shy Scientist) in the year 1766. Later Sir Antonio Lavoisier gave it the name Hydrogen meaning "Water Former" since it burns in air to form Water.
Before then, other scientists have been using hydrogen without recognizing it as an element.

Uses of Hydrogen

it is used in the formation of water

Hydrogen is used along with Nitrogen in air to form Ammonia(NH₃)

Hydrogen in liquid is used in the study of superconductors and, when combined with liquid oxygen, makes an excellent rocket fuel

When combined with Carbon, produces organic compounds known as Hydrocarbons

It is used in the formation of many other elements like H₂SO₄ (Sulphuric Acid), HCl (Hydrogen Chloride), H₂O₂(Hydrogen peroxide) and others.

Preparation of Hydrogen

Hydrogen can be prepared in so many ways such as:

Decomposition of specific Hydrocarbons with heat

Application of Steam on heated carbon

Displacement from acid by specific metals

Electrolysis of Water

Reaction of KOH(Potassium Hydroxide) or NaOH(Sodium Hydroxide) on Aluminum

Other Interesting Facts about Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the most existing or abundant element in the whole universe.
It is found in the sun and mostly in the stars.
The planet Jupiter is composed mostly of hydrogen.
On Earth, hydrogen is found superabundantly in water.
It is present as a gas in the atmosphere only in small quantity because any amount of hydrogen that enters the atmosphere quickly escapes the Earth’s gravity into outer space.

Conclusion

Hydrogen is a very important element in the study of Chemistry and to the human life at large.
It serves many important benefits to the existence of human life on earth.
There are still many important facts about Hydrogen that makes it a very unique element.