| Group | 1 | Melting point | -259.1 oC, -434.38 oF, 14.05 K |
| Period | 1 | Boiling point | -252.879 oC, -423.182 oF, 20.271 K |
| Block | s | Density (kg m-3) | 89 (6 K) |
| Atomic number | 1 | Relative atomic mass | 1.008 |
| State at room temperature | Gas | Key isotopes | 1H, 2H |
| Electron configuration | 1s1 | CAS number | 133-74-0 |
| ChemSpider ID | 4515072 | ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database | |
Image explanation
Image based on the now familiar iconic atomic model proposed by Niels Bohr in 1913.
Appearance
A colourless, odourless gas that burns and can form an explosive mixture with air. It is currently manufactured from methane gas, but is also produced by the electrolysis of water and aqueous salts. The gas is used to make such key materials as ammonia, cyclohexane and methanol, which are intermediates in the production of fertilisers, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Some see hydrogen gas as the clean fuel of the future - generated from water and returning to water when it is oxidised. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are increasingly being seen as pollution-free sources of energy.
Uses
Large quantities are used in the Haber Process (the production of ammonia for agricultural use) and for the
hydrogenation of oils to form fats. It has several other uses, including welding and the reduction of metallic ores, and
liquid hydrogen is important in cryogenics and superconductivity studies as its melting point is just above absolute
zero." Some see hydrogen gas as the clean fuel of the future - generated from water and returning to water when it is oxidised. Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are increasingly being seen as pollution-free sources of energy.
Biological role
Hydrogen is the basis of all life, as part of the DNA molecule.
Natural abundance
Hydrogen is found in the sun and most of the stars, and is easily the most abundant element in the universe. The
planet Jupiter is composed mostly of hydrogen, and there is a theory that in the interior of the planet the pressure is
so great that metallic hydrogen is formed from solid molecular hydrogen. On Earth, hydrogen is found in the
greatest quantities in water, but is present in the atmosphere only in small amounts - less than 1 part per million by
volume. Hydrogen is prepared commercially by several methods; manufactured from methane gas, electrolysis of water and aqueous salts.
| Atomic radius, non-bonded (Å) | 1.100 | Covalent radius (Å) | 0.32 |
| Electron affinity (kJ mol-1) | 72.743 |
Electronegativity (Pauling scale) |
2.200 |
|
Ionisation energies (kJ mol-1) |
1st
1312.049
2nd
-
3rd
-
4th
-
5th
-
6th
-
7th
-
8th
-
|
||
| Covalent bonds |
|
|
|
| Common oxidation states | 1, -1 | ||||
| Isotopes | Isotope | Atomic mass | Natural abundance (%) | Half life | Mode of decay |
| 1H | 1.008 | 99.988 | - | - | |
| 2H | 2.014 | 0.012 | - | - | |
| 3H | 3.016 | - | 12.31 y | β- | |
|
Molar heat capacity (J mol-1 K-1) |
28.836 | Young's modulus (GPa) | Unknown | |||||||||||
| Shear modulus (GPa) | Unknown | Bulk modulus (GPa) | Unknown | |||||||||||
| Vapour pressure | ||||||||||||||
| Temperature (K) |
|
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| Pressure (Pa) |
|
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Videos of the elements. Additional videos will be coming in 2012.
Images: Visual Elements © Murray Robertson 2011
Mining and Sourcing data: British Geological Survey – natural environment research council.
Text: John Emsley Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011.
Data: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, 92nd Edition, 2011.
G. W. C. Kaye and T. H. Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants, Longman, 16th Edition, 1995.
Members of the RSC can access these books through our library.
Mining and Sourcing data: British Geological Survey – natural environment research council.
Text: John Emsley Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011.
Data: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, 92nd Edition, 2011.
G. W. C. Kaye and T. H. Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants, Longman, 16th Edition, 1995.
Members of the RSC can access these books through our library.
