Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the first element of the modern periodic table and lightest among all
the elements found in nature. It exists in diatomic form. Hydrogen was discovered
by Henry Cavendish in 1776 A.D. The name hydrogen was given by Antoine
Lavosier in 1817. Hydrogen is found in free state in very trace quantity. However,
it is ninth most abundant element in earth. Hydrogen is found in the core of the
sun. Hydrogen is the main cause for the nuclear fusion at the core of the sun.

Hydrogen is derived from the Greek word “hygrogene” in which hydro means
water and gene means producer. Hydrogen produces water when burnt with
oxygen.
Name: Hydrogen
Also called: Inflammable gas
Symbol: H
Atomic number: 1
Atomic Mass: 1.008
Molecular Formula: H2
Boiling Point: 20.4 Kelvin
Melting Point: 13.8 Kelvin
Isotopes: Protium, Deuterium, Tritium

Hydrogen is the first element in modern periodic table. Since hydrogen has only
one electron in its valance shell, it has equal potential to gain or lose electron for
attaining the stable configuration state. It has unique physical structure and
shows anomalous behaviour.
Hydrogen either can gain electron to become and hydride ion or lose electron to
become an hydrogen ion as shown below:
H – e− ⟶H+ (Hydrogen ion}
 H + e−⟶H− (Hydride ion)
As hydrogen resembles to alkali as well as halogen in the periodic table, the
position of hydrogen is still controversial in Mendeleev’s as well as modern
periodic table.
Some of the similarities with alkalis are:
1. Electronic configuration: Both hydrogen and alkali metals have one
electron in valence shell. So they have same outermost electronic
configuration.
2. Metallic Character: Like alkali metals, hydrogen loses its one
electron to form hydrogen ion.

H ⟶ H+ + e-
Li ⟶ Li + + e-
3. Oxidation state and valency: Both hydrogen and alkali metals have
oxidation state +1 and valency equals to 1.
4. Electrolysis: Hydrogen and alkali metals are liberated at cathode
when their compounds are electrolyzed.
5. Affinity for non metals: Like alkali metals, hydrogen combines with
non metals like halogen, oxygen and sulphur to form their respective
halides, oxides, sulphide etc.
6. Reducing nature: Alkali metals and halogen are strong reducing
agent.
CuO+H2 −→ Cu+H2O

CuO+Na −→ Cu+ NaO

Similarities with halogens:

1. Electronic configuration: Both hydrogen and halogens have one
electron less to acquire stable configuration state. So, both of them are
one electron deficient elements.
2. Nonmetallic characters: Like halogens, hydrogen is also shows non
metallic characters.
3. Atomicity: Like halogens, hydrogen exists in diatomic state.
4. Physical state: Like halogen, hydrogen is a gas.
5. Ionization energy: The ionization energy of hydrogen is similar to that
of halogens.
6. Mutual replacement: Hydrogen replaces hydrogen from its covalent
compounds and vice versa. This means hydrogen can be used instead
of halogen and halogen can be used instead of hydrogen in some
reactions.
7. Electrolysis: In the electrolysis of metal halides like NaCl, HBr etc.
halogen and hydrogen both are liberated at anode.
8. Oxidation state: Both halogens and hydrogen have oxidation state -1

Preparation of hydrogen:
The various methods for the preparation of hydrogen are given below:
1. From water: Alkali and certain alkali metals when reacted with cold
water liberates hydrogen gas.

(Cold water)
2Na + 2H2O −→−−−−− 2NaOH + H2↑
(Cold water)
2K + 2H2O −→−−−−− 2KOH + H2↑

Things to know: The reaction of alkali metal is very vigorous and

exothermic so that heat is evolved and may catches fire easily. So,
amalgams are used in order to slow down the reaction.
2. From hot water: Less reactive metals like zinc, magnesium, aluminum
gets decomposed in boiling water and liberates hydrogen.
Hot water
Zn + H2O −→−−−− ZnO+H2↑

Hot water

Mg+H2O −→−− −− MgO+H2↑

Hot water
2Al+3H2O −→−−−− Al2O3+3H2↑
3. From steam: Some metals like iron, tin, nickel when passed with
steam decomposes to give hydrogen gas. This reaction is reversible.

Steam
2Cu + H2O ⟶ Fe2O3+H2↑

4. From metallic (ionic) hydride: Hydrides of alkali and alkaline earth

metal reacts with water to give hydrogen.
 LiH+H2O⟶LiOH+H2↑

CaH2+2H2O⟶Ca(OH)2+2H2↑
5. By the electrolysis of water: When water is electrolyzed in
presence of some acid or base, hydrogen gas is evolved.

Electrolysis
2H2O −→−−−−− H2↑+O2↑
Note: When water is electrolyzed without the presence of acid or base.
There will be no liberation of hydrogen gas. This is because pure water is a
bad conductor of heat and electricity. And when acid and base is added the
degree of ionization of water increases thereby decomposes to hydrogen
and oxygen.
6. From acids: Acids when treated with metals that lie above the
electrochemical series can displace hydrogen from their respective
mineral acids.

Fe+2HCl⟶FeCl2+H2↑

Zn+H2SO4⟶ZnSO4+H2↑

Mg+2HCl⟶MgCl2+H2↑

Isotopes of Hydrogen
Isotopes are the chemical species having same atomic number bur
different atomic mass number.
Hydrogen have three isotopes namely protium, deuterium and tritium.
1. Protium: It is the first isotope of hydrogen and has symbol 11H. It has
one proton and one electron. It is the most abundant isotopes of hydrogen
among all the hydrogen found in nature. It is non reactive and most stable
form too.
Uses of protium:
 It is used for synthesis of ammonia in Haber’s process.
 It is used for the manufacture of ethanol, HCl etc.
 It is used in hydrogenation of oil to produce artificial ghee.
 It is used as a reductant in metallurgical process.
 It is used as a fuel in rockets and missiles.
 It is used for filling balloons, study of atmosphere etc.

Note: The uses of ordinary hydrogen and protium are same.

2. Deuterium: It is the second isotope of hydrogen and has symbol 21H or
D. It has one proton and one electron and one neutron. It is the second
most abundant isotopes of hydrogen among all the hydrogen found in
nature. It is non reactive and stable form too.
The main application of deuterium is: It is extensively used as moderator in
nuclear reactors for the transformation of nuclear reaction.

Note: Since all the isotopes of hydrogen have same electronic

configuration, they have similar chemical properties.
3. Tritium: It is the third isotope of hydrogen. It is not found in free state in
nature. It is also represented by 31H or T. It has one proton, two neutrons
and one electron. It is highly radioactive in nature.
Tritium is used in nuclear fusion reaction to liberate large amount of heat in
nuclear bombs and weapons.

Physical Properties, Chemical Properties and Uses of Hydrogen

Physical properties of hydrogen:
 Hydrogen is a colorless, odourless and tasteless gas which is
sparingly soluble in water.
 Hydrogen is the lightest gas.
 Density: 0.8987 gram per litre
 Boiling point: -253oC
 Melting point: -259oC
 It can be liquefied and solidified at low temperature and high
pressure.
Chemical properties:
1. Action with indicators: It does not show any reaction with litmus and
hence is neutral towards litmus paper and other indicators.
2. Combustibility: Hydrogen is an inflammable and combustible gas.
It gives pale blue flame in air or oxygen to form water. So, hydrogen is also
called water gas.

2H2+O2⟶H2O

3. Dissociation: Hydrogen is quite stable to its high bond energy. It

dissociates into atomic hydrogen atoms when heated above1730 o.
ZnSO4−→−−−−>1730∘C2ZnO+SO2+O2
4. Reaction with halogen: Hydrogen does not react with halogens at ordinary temperature. But at high
temperature in the presence of catalyst, hydrogen react to give their respective halides.
H2+F2⟶2HF

H2+Cl2⟶2HCl

H2+Br2⟶2HBr

H2+I2⟶2Hl

FAQs
1. Why do we need hydrogen?
Ans: Hydrogen is a significant water element. The body’s cells remain hydrated due to water and help remove
toxins from the body. Hydrogen enables the body to produce energy.
2. Who discovered hydrogen?
Ans: In 1671, while experimenting with iron and acids, Robert Boyle produced hydrogen gas, but it wasn’t
until 1766 that, according to Jefferson Lab, Henry Cavendish acknowledged it as a separate component. The
French chemist Antoine Lavoisier called the element hydrogen
3. How does hydrogen exist in nature?
Ans: Hydrogen happens mainly in the form of water on Earth. Each water molecule (H 2 O) includes two
atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
4. What is the formula for hydrogen gas?
Ans: Hydrogen with molecular formula H2 is a colourless, odourless, non-metallic, tasteless, extremely
flammable diatomic gas.
5. What is the symbol of hydrogen gas?
Ans: The atomic symbol of hydrogen is H and its atomic number is one. Hydrogen is an atomic-numbered
chemical element 1. Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, non-metallic, tasteless, extremely flammable
diatomic gas with molecular formula H2 at standard temperature and pressure.
So far we have seen the various chemical and physical properties of hydrogen. Its different uses and
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infobank for readers and discoverers: o level chemistry notes on hydrogen,with questions and answers
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Uses Of Hydrogen - Properties & its Reactions with Videos (byjus.com)