Hydrogen-element

Hydrogen – Occurrence, Properties, Uses & Isotopes of Hydrogen

Introduction

Hydrogen is the first and the smallest element of the periodic table. Hydrogen contains only one electron and one proton in its nucleus. In its physical nature, hydrogen is odorless, colorless, and flavorless gas. Hydrogen is essential for all life forms as it forms the water and exists in the form of diatomic molecule H2.

Name and History of Hydrogen

The name hydrogen is the combination of two Greek words “hydro” meaning ‘water’ and “genes” meaning ‘forming’. 90% of all atoms are made up of hydrogen which contributes three-quarters of the universe’s mass.

The Physician Paracelsus in the early 1500s first observed the bubbles on adding iron fillings in sulphuric acid. The same was observed by Robert Boyle in 1671. In 1766, English Physicist Henry Cavendish discovered hydrogen as a distinct chemical element.

Occurrence of hydrogen

The most common form of hydrogen on Earth is water. Each single water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms. The most abundant element in the universe also the part of huge stars and planets. Generally, exist of diatomic and monoatomic forms is rare on Earth.

Occurrence-of-hydrogen

Properties of Hydrogen

The hydrogen element has the symbol H with atomic number 1. The atomic weight of hydrogen is 1.0079 amu. At STP (standard temperature and pressure) hydrogen behaves as a nontoxic, nonmetallic but highly combustible diatomic gas. The melting point is -259.14 °C and the boiling point is -252.87 °C.

Hydrogen in biological Systems

Many substances in deep space are composed of hydrogen components. Even humans, the most intricate form of life in the world, are composed of hydrogen elements. Nevertheless, a couple of studies have been performed to focus on the biological results of hydrogen prior to the magically biological impacts of hydrogen are revealed by scientists in the last few years. A secret might still be hidden in these marvel results of hydrogen.

Though hydrogen has a substantial low solubility in water, its concentration can still approach 0.9 mmol/L. Hydrogen, at this concentration, has been found to be able to give its protective results in a biological system.

Hydrogen is a gas molecule with relatively constant reducibility, a crucial chemical residential or commercial property of hydrogen. It has been accepted that hydrogen can not directly interact with compounds in the biological body which is why we use hydrogen in diving.

Nevertheless, recent studies expose that hydrogen is able to neutralize some complimentary radicals conferring protective results, which may be a chemical system underlying the biological impacts of hydrogen.

Uses of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is an extremely useful element. It is used to make ammonia for fertilizers, refining metals, and methanol for making synthetic materials like plastics.

The most important use of hydrogen is ammonia synthesis. Making use of hydrogen is extending rapidly in fuel refinement, like the breaking down by hydrogen (hydrocracking), and in sulphur removal.

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Huge quantities of hydrogen are consumed in the catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils to get solid fat. Hydrogenation is utilized in the manufacture of organic chemical items. Substantial quantities of hydrogen are used as rocket fuels, in combination with oxygen or fluor, and as a rocket propellent moved by nuclear energy.

Hydrogen can be burned in internal combustion engines. Hydrogen fuel cells are being checked out as a method to provide power and research is being carried out on hydrogen as a possible significant future fuel. For example, it can be converted to and from electricity from biofuels, from and into gas and diesel fuel, theoretically with no emissions of either CO2 or any other toxic chemicals.

Isotopes of Hydrogen

Hydrogen has three isotopes. 1H the protium, 2H the deuterium and 3H the tritium. Protium is the most abundant one (99% estimated). Deuterium contains one electron and one proton and neutron in its nucleus making atomic mass 2. It is used in fusion reactors. Tritium contains one electron and one proton but two neutrons hence making atomic mass= 3. It is widely used in biochemical research and uses to study animal metabolism.

MCQs

  • What is the atomic number of hydrogen?
    • A) 0
    • B) 1
    • C) 2
    • D) 3
    • Answer: B
  • Who first observed the bubbles produced by adding iron fillings in sulphuric acid, indicating the presence of hydrogen?
    • A) Robert Boyle
    • B) Paracelsus
    • C) Henry Cavendish
    • D) Antoine Lavoisier
    • Answer: B
  • What is the meaning of the name “hydrogen”?
    • A) Gas
    • B) Fire
    • C) Water-forming
    • D) Earth element
    • Answer: C
  • What is the most common form of hydrogen on Earth?
    • A) Hydrogen gas
    • B) Hydrogen chloride
    • C) Water
    • D) Hydrogen peroxide
    • Answer: C
  • At standard temperature and pressure (STP), how does hydrogen behave?
    • A) Metal
    • B) Nonmetal
    • C) Metalloid
    • D) Halogen
    • Answer: B
  • What is the melting point of hydrogen?
    • A) -259.14 °C
    • B) -252.87 °C
    • C) 0 °C
    • D) 100 °C
    • Answer: A
  • In biological systems, what concentration of hydrogen has been found to exhibit protective effects?
    • A) 0.1 mmol/L
    • B) 0.5 mmol/L
    • C) 0.9 mmol/L
    • D) 1.5 mmol/L
    • Answer: C
  • What is the main use of hydrogen in the synthesis of ammonia?
    • A) Rocket fuel
    • B) Fertilizer production
    • C) Plastic manufacturing
    • D) Metal refining
    • Answer: B
  • Which isotope of hydrogen is the most abundant, constituting approximately 99%?
    • A) Protium
    • B) Deuterium
    • C) Tritium
    • D) Helium
    • Answer: A
  • What property of hydrogen makes it suitable for use in rocket fuels?
    • A) High density
    • B) Low combustibility
    • C) High solubility in water
    • D) High reactivity
    • Answer: D
  • Who discovered hydrogen as a distinct chemical element in 1766?
    • A) Antoine Lavoisier
    • B) Henry Cavendish
    • C) Robert Boyle
    • D) Paracelsus
    • Answer: B
  • What is the atomic weight of hydrogen?
    • A) 1
    • B) 2
    • C) 3
    • D) 4
    • Answer: A
  • What is the primary use of hydrogen in the catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils?
    • A) Plastic manufacturing
    • B) Fertilizer production
    • C) Biofuel synthesis
    • D) Solid fat production
    • Answer: D
  • Which isotope of hydrogen is used in fusion reactors?
    • A) Protium
    • B) Deuterium
    • C) Tritium
    • D) Helium
    • Answer: B
  • In which form does hydrogen exist in biological systems?
    • A) Monatomic
    • B) Diatomic
    • C) Triatomic
    • D) Polyatomic
    • Answer: B
  • What is the symbolic representation of the hydrogen element?
    • A) He
    • B) Hg
    • C) H
    • D) Hy
    • Answer: C
  • What does STP stand for in the context of hydrogen properties?
    • A) Standard Test Point
    • B) Standard Temperature and Pressure
    • C) Systematic Thermal Process
    • D) Scientific Test Protocol
    • Answer: B
  • Which chemical property of hydrogen is crucial for its use in diving?
    • A) High solubility
    • B) Low reactivity
    • C) Constant reducibility
    • D) High conductivity
    • Answer: C
  • What is the chemical formula of diatomic hydrogen?
    • A) H
    • B) H2
    • C) H3
    • D) H4
    • Answer: B
  • What element does hydrogen combine with to form water?
    • A) Oxygen
    • B) Carbon
    • C) Nitrogen
    • D) Helium
    • Answer: A
  • What is the meaning of the word “hydrogen” in Greek?
    • A) Earth
    • B) Water
    • C) Air
    • D) Fire
    • Answer: B
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) related to Hydrogen

  1. Q: What is the significance of hydrogen in the periodic table?
    • A: Hydrogen is the first and smallest element in the periodic table, containing one electron and one proton in its nucleus.
  2. Q: Why is hydrogen considered essential for life forms?
    • A: Hydrogen is crucial for life as it forms water and exists in the diatomic molecule H2, which is essential for various biological processes.
  3. Q: How did hydrogen get its name?
    • A: The name “hydrogen” comes from the Greek words “hydro” meaning water and “genes” meaning forming, reflecting its role in water formation.
  4. Q: Who discovered hydrogen as a distinct chemical element, and when did it happen?
    • A: English Physicist Henry Cavendish discovered hydrogen in 1766 as a distinct chemical element.
  5. Q: What is the most common form of hydrogen on Earth?
    • A: Water is the most common form of hydrogen on Earth, with each water molecule containing two hydrogen atoms.
  6. Q: What are the physical properties of hydrogen at standard temperature and pressure (STP)?
    • A: At STP, hydrogen behaves as a nontoxic, nonmetallic, highly combustible diatomic gas with a melting point of -259.14 °C and a boiling point of -252.87 °C.
  7. Q: How is hydrogen utilized in biological systems?
    • A: While hydrogen has low solubility in water, recent studies suggest protective effects at concentrations around 0.9 mmol/L, neutralizing free radicals.
  8. Q: What are the primary uses of hydrogen in various industries?
    • A: Hydrogen is extensively used in making ammonia for fertilizers, refining metals, and producing synthetic materials like plastics. It is also used as a rocket fuel and in fuel cells for power generation.
  9. Q: What are the isotopes of hydrogen, and how are they used?
    • A: Hydrogen has three isotopes – Protium (1H), Deuterium (2H), and Tritium (3H). Deuterium is used in fusion reactors, while Tritium is used in biochemical research and animal metabolism studies.
  10. Q: How is hydrogen being explored as a potential future fuel source?
    • A: Hydrogen is being researched for various applications, including burning in internal combustion engines, conversion to and from electricity in fuel cells, and as a potential clean fuel with minimal emissions.
  11. Q: What role does hydrogen play in ammonia synthesis?
    • A: Hydrogen is crucial in the synthesis of ammonia, a key component in fertilizer production.
  12. Q: Why is hydrogenation important, and where is it used?
    • A: Hydrogenation is vital in the catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils, producing solid fats and used in the manufacture of organic chemical products.
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Summary

The tutorial on Hydrogen provides a comprehensive exploration of the element, covering its occurrence, properties, uses, and isotopes. Here are the key takeaways:

  1. Introduction:
    • Hydrogen, the smallest element, plays a vital role in all life forms by forming water and existing as a diatomic molecule (H2).
  2. Name and History:
    • The name “hydrogen” stems from the Greek words “hydro” (water) and “genes” (forming). It constitutes 90% of all atoms, contributing significantly to the universe’s mass.
  3. Occurrence:
    • The most common form of hydrogen on Earth is in water, with each water molecule containing two hydrogen atoms. While it’s abundant in the universe, diatomic and monoatomic forms are rare on Earth.
  4. Properties:
    • Hydrogen, with the symbol H and atomic number 1, behaves as a nontoxic, nonmetallic, combustible diatomic gas at standard temperature and pressure (STP). It has a melting point of -259.14 °C and a boiling point of -252.87 °C.
  5. Biological Systems:
    • Hydrogen is a fundamental component of substances in deep space and the intricate structures of living organisms. Recent studies indicate potential protective effects of hydrogen in biological systems.