Hydrogen (H) – Periodic Table [Element Information & More]

Hydrogen element (H) is in group 1 and period 1 of a periodic table. Hydrogen is placed along with the alkali metals because it has similar electronic configuration as that of group 1 elements.

There is a lot more information related to hydrogen which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.

So let’s dive right into it!

Table of contents

• Hydrogen element (Information Table)
• Hydrogen element in Periodic table
• Facts about Hydrogen
• Properties of Hydrogen
• Uses of Hydrogen

Hydrogen Element (Information Table)

The important data related to hydrogen element is given in the table below.

Appearance of hydrogen	Colorless gas
Atomic number of hydrogen	1
Symbol of hydrogen	H
Atomic mass of hydrogen	1.008 u
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in hydrogen	Protons: 1, Neutrons: 0, Electrons: 1
State of hydrogen (at STP)	Gas
Group number of hydrogen in periodic table	1
Period number of hydrogen in periodic table	1
Block of hydrogen in periodic table	s-block
Category of hydrogen	Other nonmetals
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in hydrogen	1 electron in 1st shell
Electron configuration of hydrogen	1s1
Orbital diagram of hydrogen
Valence electrons in hydrogen	1
Electronegativity of hydrogen (on pauling scale)	2.2
Atomic radius of hydrogen (van der Waals radius)	120 picometers
Density of hydrogen	0.0898 g/L
1st ionization energy of hydrogen	13.598 eV
Main isotope of hydrogen	1H, 2H
Melting point of hydrogen	13.99 K or -259.16 °C or -434.49 °F
Boiling point of hydrogen	20.271 K or -252.87 °C or -423.18 °F
Crystal structure of hydrogen	Hexagonal
Discovery of hydrogen	By Henry Cavendish in 1766

Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).

Hydrogen element in Periodic table

The Hydrogen element (H) has the atomic number 1 and is located in group 1 and period 1. Hydrogen is in gaseous state at STP and it is classified as other nonmetals element.

Facts about hydrogen

Here are a few interesting facts about hydrogen element.

1. Out of all the 118 elements, the hydrogen element is the element that does not have neutrons.
2. Hydrogen is the highly abundant element present in the universe, it is approximately 74%.
3. As hydrogen is a light gas, it does not stay in the earth’s atmosphere.
4. Hydrogen is present in all living beings. The water present in our body contains hydrogen in it (because the chemical formula of water is H₂O).
5. The atmosphere of stars contains hydrogen and helium in very large quantities.
6. According to the research done by the scientists, it is believed that the hydrogen gas was produced during the big bang.

Properties of hydrogen

Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of hydrogen.

Physical properties of hydrogen

• Hydrogen is in gaseous state at STP and it is colorless, odorless and tasteless.
• The atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.008 amu and it is 14.5 times lighter than air.
• Hydrogen gas has the lowest density out of all the gases present on the periodic table.
• The van der Waals atomic radius of a hydrogen atom is 120 picometers.
• The melting point and boiling point of hydrogen is 13.99 K and 20.271 K respectively.

Chemical properties of hydrogen

• Hydrogen is highly flammable and it catches fire very easily.
• Hydrogen can easily form compounds with halogens like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc. It also forms compounds with other nonmetals.
• Hydrogen has the electron configuration of 1s¹, which means that it can either gain one electron or lose one electron during a chemical reaction. If it loses an electron, then it will form H⁺ ion; and if it gains one electron, then it will form H^– ion.
• Heating of the hydrogen gas can cause explosion or violent combustion.
• The auto ignition temperature of hydrogen gas is 500 °C, that means the hydrogen gas ignites on its own at this temperature without any external spark or flame.

Uses of hydrogen

Here are some uses of the hydrogen element.

• As hydrogen is the lightest gas, it is used in balloons and airships.
• Hydrogen is also used in chemical industries in production of ammonia.
• Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity.
• The liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are used as a cryogenic fuel in rockets.
• Hydrogen is also used as a shielding gas in atomic hydrogen welding.

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