Why is this element important in everyday life?
Hydrogen makes up ninety percent of all atoms, or three fourths of the universe. It is in the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breath, and in us also. Without it we could never exist. Hydrogen is one of the most major building blocks of everything we can see, touch, smell, and taste. It makes up water, without which we would perish, and air, which we also require to live.
Some very important uses of hydrogen and its compounds are as follows: sterilization of wounds, rocket fuel, makes up water and air (essential to life), used to make old air ships float, found in plutonium and coal, hydrogen bomb, edible fats, enriches gasoline, is an alternative energy source, and keeps the sun and other stars combusting.
Where is this element found in nature?
Hydrogen is rarely found in free elemental form in nature. It is so light (lightest of all gases) that if it doesn't react with other elements, it will start to float out of our atmosphere, and into space. Hydrogen is lighter than air. Because of its atomic make up, Hydrogen is highly reactive. It is constantly trying to gain or lose an electron in order to become like a noble gas. For this reason, it is extremely hard to find Hydrogen as an element in nature.
"Hydrogen can be prepared in a lab when dilute acid reacts on metals, and by the electrolysis of water. Large quantities of hydrogen are produced industrially from various fuel gases. In many electrolysis reactions hydrogen is an important by-product."
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas. It is a nonmetal, and very reactive (especially with oxygen). It is the lightest gas. Hydrogen often floats out of the atmosphere because it is lighter than air. Hydrogen is not radioactive. Some important compounds of hydrogen are: hydrogen oxide (water); hydrogen sulfide; hydrogen peroxide; hydrogen iodide; hydrogen fluoride; hydrogen chloride; and hydrogen bromide.
Atomic Symbol =H
Period Number = 1
Group Number and Family Name =1- Hydrogen does not really belong to any family. It is apart from all other elements. This unique nonmetal is placed in group one because it shares an electron trait, but that they have in common.
Atomic Number =1
Atomic Mass =1.0080 u
Density =.08988 g/L
Melting Point =-259.1 Degrees C
Boiling Point =-252.9 Degrees C
Electron Configuration =1s1
Shorthand Notation =1s1
Common Reactions =Hydrogen commonly reacts with metal to remove oxygen, and with nonmetals. It also reacts with nitrogen to get ammonia, with sulfur to get hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen reacts most violently with oxygen. A common example of this is in the fuel that powers the Space Shuttle. It reacts with sulfur, fluorine, and iodine.
Interesting Information =
Hydrogen combusts at a degrees of -285.8 Degrees C. The Hindenburg was a hydrogen powered air ship. An explosive hydrogen reaction caused its destruction. It is very flammable. Hydrogen had the smallest atomic radii of all of the known elements. Its name is Greek. It comes from Hydro (water) and genes (forming). It was named by Lavolisier, but discovered by Cavendish.
Who is Mr. Hydrogen ?
Reporter: So Mr. Hydrogen, what would you say makes you unique from all other elements.
Mr. Hydrogen: Well, I'd say the fact that I make up three quarter of the universe puts me in a different class from other elements. I'm the most abundant element in the universe. Also, I am the lightest of all my gaseous friends.
Reporter: Do you work well with others?
Mr. Hydrogen: Yes. I am almost always found attached to the one around me. It is rare that you would find me alone. I do have a bad temper however. I sometimes react violently to others. I get especially mad at Oxygen. When we're put together, there is always an explosive outcome.
Reporter: Have you ever done something that you regretted doing?
Mr. Hydrogen: Yes, I have. When I was just young, and no one knew that much about me, I did a bad thing. I was busy holding a air ship in flight, and an accident happened. I caused an explosion, and the ship and its passengers were destroied. Needless to say, I rarely helped out air ships after that.
Reporter: Say, just between you and me, how much do you weigh?
Mr. Hydrogen: I weigh 1.0080 u. I have a density of .08988 g/L. Don't tell anyone that though.
Reporter: Looking back on the years, what would you say your most important contribution to existence.
Mr. Hydrogen: Water and air are probably my most important. They keep all life alive you know.
Reporter: There is a rumor going around that you are one of the brains behind the combustion of the sun. Is that true?
Mr. Hydrogen: Yes. I am responsible for the burning of the sun. I keep the reaction going. Without me, it would probably just die. You can thank me later.
Reporter: I like your name. What does it mean?
Mr. Hydrogen: Well, my father (Cavendish) and mother (Lavoisier) named me Hydrogen because they both loved the water. My name means "water forming" in Greek.
Reporter: Finally, how does Mr. Hydrogen spend his spare time?
Mr. Hydrogen: If you can't find me filling balloons, or sending rockets into orbit, you might in a piece of coal, or other fuels. I spend most of my time however either in the water, or up in the air. I'm really all over the place, but it is very hard to pin me down.
Reporter: I'd just like to say thank you for the interview, and congratulations on all of your achievements Mr. Hydrogen.
Mr. Hydrogen: Thank you!
