10 Hydrogen Facts

Facts about the Element Hydrogen

NGC 604, a region of ionized hydrogen in the Triangulum Galaxy.

Hubble Space Telescope, photo PR96-27B

See More About

Here are basic facts about the first element in the periodic table, hydrogen.

Atomic Number: 1
Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table, meaning it has an atomic number of 1 or 1 proton in each hydrogen atom.
Atomic Weight: 1.00794
This makes hydrogen the lightest element.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element. About 75% of the element mass of the universe is hydrogen.
The most common isotope of hydrogen is protium, which has 1 proton and 0 neutrons.
Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable. It is used as a fuel by the space shuttle main engine and was associated with the famous explosion of the Hindenburg airship.
Hydrogen compounds commonly are called hydrides.
Hydrogen may be produced by reacting metals with acids (e.g., zinc with hydrochloric acid).
The physical form of hydrogen at room temperature and pressure is a colorless and odorless gas.
Hydrogen has many uses, though most hydrogen is used for processing fossil fuels and in the production of ammonia.
In compounds, hydrogen can take a negative charge (H^-) or a positive charge (H⁺).

Related Video