Science, Tech, Math › Science Hydrogen Facts Quiz Multiple Choice Quiz about the Element Hydrogen Take this multiple choice quiz to see how much you know about hydrogen element facts. Reinhold Wittich/Stocktrek Images, Getty Images Science Chemistry Periodic Table Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 1. The primary reason balloons and dirigibles are filled with helium instead of hydrogen is because: Hydrogen is flammable. Hydrogen is toxic. Helium is lighter than hydrogen. Hydrogen seeps through the balloon material too quickly. Correct Wrong Hydrogen is flammable, but it won't burn unless oxygen is also present. There's oxygen in air, so the fire and explosion risk is very real. 2. The most common isotope of hydrogen is protium, which has: 0 protons and 1 neutron 1 proton and 0 neutrons 1 proton and 1 neutron 1 proton and 2 neutrons Correct Wrong Protium consists of a proton, with or without an electron. The most common isotope of hydrogen has no neutrons. 3. Approximately what percent of matter in the universe is believed to consist of hydrogen? 25% 50% 75% 90% Correct Wrong About 3/4 of matter in the universe is hydrogen. Most of the remaining quarter is helium. All the other elements are relatively rare. 4. The name for hydrogen comes from words meaning: water fearing water forming gas fire forming Correct Wrong The word means "water forming", as hydrogen and oxygen combine to make the compound water, H2O. 5. The usual valence of hydrogen is: -2 0 +1 or sometimes -1 +2 Correct Wrong Hydrogen can either gain or lose an electron to have a stable electron shell, giving it a valence of +1 or -1. 6. The element symbol for hydrogen is: K H He Hn Correct Wrong The element symbol for hydrogen is a capital letter H. 7. Molecular hydrogen consists of ortho- and para- hydrogen, which differ by the spins of the electrons and nuclei: true false Correct Wrong It's true. Hydrogen gas contains atoms with different electron and nuclear spin. 8. Free hydrogen is found naturally on Earth. true false Correct Wrong Hydrogen gas may be released as a result of numerous natural chemical reactions. For example, reacting an acid and a metal typically releases hydrogen. 9. All of the following are isotopes of hydrogen except: tritium hydronium protium deuterium Correct Wrong Protium, deuterium, and tritium are hydrogen isotopes. Hydronium is the positively-charged ion of water, H3O+. 10. Which isotope of hydrogen is radioactive? none of them protium deuterium tritium Correct Wrong Only the isotope tritium is radioactive. It's used for nuclear reactions and to make self-luminous paint. Proton and deuterium are stable. Hydrogen Facts Quiz You got: % Correct. Hardly Knew Anything About Hydrogen Knut Schaeffner / EyeEm / Getty Images Nice try! You didn't know a lot about the element hydrogen, but you made it through the quiz and know more about atomic number 1 now. If you like, you can learn more interesting hydrogen facts. Ready for another quiz? See how well you know carbon element facts. Share Your Results Hydrogen Facts Quiz You got: % Correct. Happy Hydrogen Fact Expert Science Picture Co / Getty Images Good job! You knew a lot about the element hydrogen going into this quiz and you know even more now. From here, you can brush up on more hydrogen facts or click on a periodic table symbol to learn about other elements. If you're up for an exciting project, make your own hydrogen gas. Ready for another quiz? See how much you know about the element gold. Share Your Results