14 Fascinating Facts About Hydrogen Gas: Non Metal Chemical Element Atomic Number 1

1 The oldest and most fundamental element of the universe, hydrogen was formed during the Big Bang and is therefore the basic building block of matter. Also the most abundant element, hydrogen is the lightest of the elements with only one proton and one electron per atom, hence the atomic number one.

Introduction to Hydrogen

2 Hydrogen was discovered in 1766 by Henry Cavendish after observing a highly combustive gas was formed when inserting iron filings into sulphuric acid.

3 Hydrogen is the fundamental nuclear fuel for all the stars in the universe, providing heat and light. Immense energy is produced when hydrogen atoms fuse at the sun’s core, forming the next heaviest element, helium (and ever heavier elements as the sun continues to burn via nuclear fusion). Without hydrogen, the universe would be a very dark place indeed.

4 Hydrogen Statistics

Water is hydrogen and oxygen, H2O

Atomic number: 1

Atomic weight: 1.00794

State: odorless gas
Category: non-metal

Melting point: -259°C (-434°F)

Boiling point: -253°C (-423°F)

5 Properties of Hydrogen

A colorless and odorless gas, hydrogen is very reactive, easily bonding with other elements to form new chemicals. When combined with oxygen for example, hydrogen will form water, hence H20. This disproved Aristotle’s theory that water was but one of four elements.

More Interesting Facts about Hydrogen

Hydrogen Symbol

6 When burned, hydrogen will form water.

7 Even at the weak mixture of 4% hydrogen to air, hydrogen remains extremely combustible and will burn in air if triggered by heat or a spark.

8 Hydrogen can be found in the earth’s crust in the form of hydrocarbons, created from decayed organic matter. The result is modern day natural gas and crude oil.

9 Hydrogen was popularly used in early balloon flight, as normal air is much denser providing lift. The zeppelin Hindenburg famously burst into flames whilst trying to land in 1937 due to a hydrogen leak that combusted. This may have contributed to the end of the airship era.

10 It is the vast amounts of energy locked inside the nuclei of hydrogen atoms that are responsible for the immense power of hydrogen bombs. The power is released by the fusion of hydrogen isotopes (the number of neutrons and protons within the nucleus of an atom).

11 A smaller nuclear explosion is needed to kick-start the main explosion. The trigger may take the form of ‘inertial confinement fusion’, an intense laser beam that heats hydrogen to the required density to cause the main chain reaction of hydrogen fusion.

12 The difference between hydrogen's boiling point and melting point is a mere six degrees Celsius (-259°C and -253°C).

13 Three Types of Hydrogen

Protium, Deuteruim and Tritium

The standard hydrogen, present in our oceans is also known as ‘protium’ bearing the symbol H1, as it has no neutron.

But deuterium, another type of hydrogen, also known as ‘heavy hydrogen’ has two isotopes: one proton and one neutron, and so bears the symbol H2. Non toxic and thought to have been a byproduct of the Big Bang, deuterium when added to oxygen instead of the standard hydrogen results in ‘heavy water’, a coolant used in nuclear plants.

A further hydrogen isotope, ‘tritium’ has two neutrons and one proton and is denoted by the symbol H3.Tritium is radioactive and often used in luminous paint and watches. A small amount of tritium is produced by cosmic rays in our atmosphere.

14 Why Ice is Lighter than Liquid Water

When matter is cooled, the atoms within usually slow down and get closer to together, resulting in increased density. But it is because of hydrogen’s strange properties that cause ice to float instead of sink. At 4°C, hydrogen bonds form, resulting in a lattice formation in water molecules, with gaps between. This looser, lattice-like distribution of molecules in water at this temperature causes ice to be less dense than liquid water.