Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the smallest chemical element because it consists of only one proton in
its nucleus. Its symbol is H, and its atomic number is 1. It has an average atomic
weight of 1.0079 amu, making it the lightest element. Hydrogen is the most abundant
chemical substance in the universe, especially in stars and gas giant planets.
However, monoatomic hydrogen is rare on Earth is rare due to its propensity to form
covalent bonds with most elements. At standard temperature and pressure,
hydrogen is a nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and highly
combustible diatomic gas with the molecular formula H2. Hydrogen is also prevalent
on Earth in the form of chemical compounds such as hydrocarbons and water.

Hydrogen has one one proton and one electron; the most common isotope, protium
(1H), has no neutrons. Hydrogen has a melting point of -259.14 °C and a boiling point
of -252.87 °C. Hydrogen has a density of 0.08988 g/L, making it less dense than air.
It has two distinct oxidation states, (+1, -1), which make it able to act as both an
oxidizing and a reducing agent. Its covalent radius is 31.5 pm.

Hydrogen exists in two different spin isomers of hydrogen diatomic molecules that
differ by the relative spin of their nuclei. The orthohydrogen form has parallel spins;
the parahydrogen form has antiparallel spins. At standard temperature and pressure,
hydrogen gas consists of 75 percent orthohydrogen and 25 percent parahydrogen.
Hydrogen is available in different forms, such as compressed gaseous hydrogen,
liquid hydrogen, and slush hydrogen (composed of liquid and solid), as well as solid
and metallic forms.