Element of the Week - Hydrogen Facts

I've been updating the periodic table facts for the element hydrogen and figured those of you writing reports on the element or just interested in them could use a few hydrogen facts. So... here you go:

• Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table, with an atomic number of 1 (which means it has one proton).

• Hydrogen is the lightest element, with an atomic weight of 1.0079.

• Hydrogen is the most abundant elememt in the universe (~75% of the elemental mass), though elemental hydrogen is relatively rare on Earth because it is light enough to escape the gravitational pull.

• The most common isotope of hydrogen is called protium. Protium has one proton, but no neutrons.

• Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable. It is used as the fuel for the space shuttle main engine. The famous Hindenburg airship explosion occurred because the dirigible was filled with flammable hydrogen gas.

• Hydrogen can be prepared by reacting a metal with acid (e.g., zinc with hydrochloric acid).