Hydrogen – The Lonely One

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My name is Hydrogen, and my name is usually denoted by the letter ‘H.’ I am the first born in a family of seven and our family name is Group 1. Our lineage, which is also composed of seven families, is known as the periodic table. The possession of varying atomic masses and atomic weights is one of the most important features of members of our lineage as it distinguishes between families. This trait also sets a distinction between members of a given family. My atomic number is 1, whereas my atomic weight is approximately 1.00794 atomic mass units (“Hydrogen (H)” par.1). My atomic number makes me a very lonely element because it implies that my energy shell has only one electron, a fact that makes me part of elements in period 1. I am the odd one out in my family as my siblings are referred to as alkaline earth metals because they have more electrons in their energy shells. However, my loneliness is also a blessing in disguise because it has earned me the title of the lightest element known (“Hydrogen: The Essentials” par. 2). I exist as a compound with elements such as oxygen, carbon and nitrogen. Consequently, I can be found almost everywhere because I occupy approximately ninety percent of the weight in the entire universe.

Figure 1: Water, which I am part of, is the most abundant substance in the universe (“Everglades National Park (5)”).

Many scientists have contributed to the elucidation of my character. For example, in 1671, Robert Boyle realized that I am generated in the reaction between iron filings and dilute acids. In the year 1766, Henry Cavendish recognized me as an element and named me “the inflammable air from metals” (“Hydrogen: The Essentials” par. 5). Thereafter, a different scientist called Antoine Lavoisier christened me Hydrogen. In 1839, Sir William Robert Grove realized that passing an electric current through water (where I am an important part) severed the link between me and oxygen. Reversing the process led to the generation of electricity, which made me an important component of fuel cells.

I am a colorless and odorless gas, which makes me be categorized among non-metals. I have a density of 0.08988 g/cm³, which makes me much lighter than air (Abe 1).

Figure 2: I am lighter than air, which makes me useful in filling balloons (“The Physical Properties of Matter to Name a Few”).

I melt at temperatures of -259.14 °C and boil at temperatures of -252.87 °C. In addition, I can form crystals under certain conditions. When I do so, my crystals usually have a hexagonal shape. An alteration in my atomic weight gives me the ability to exist in more than one form as Deuterium or Tritium. I respond differently to various environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure. For instance, when I am compressed at high pressure I often transform into a liquid that can easily be stored.

I am a very social element and can form partnerships with a number of elements. For example, my relationship with oxygen produces water, whereas my association with carbon generates a special group of compounds referred to as organic compounds. I am, therefore, able to store energy within the bonds that I make with other elements.

My physical and chemical properties enable me to be used in a variety of applications. In liquid form, I can be used as a fuel especially in rockets.

Figure 3: An example of a rocket where I am used as a fuel (“Uses and Applications of Hydrogen Gas and Liquid Hydrogen by Industry”).

My partnership with carbon forms compounds such as methane and butane, which undergo combustion in engines to produce energy that propels these engines. I am also used to generate electricity in fuel cells when I react with oxygen. Apart from fuel, I am an essential constituent of hydrogen peroxide that is often used as a bleach or wound disinfectant. Due to my weight and density, I am the most suitable gas in filling of balloons. The manufacturing industry also finds me very handy because I am a prerequisite in the manufacture of other chemicals such as ammonia in the Haber process, methanol and cyclohexane. I like to occupy any vacant spaces in the structure of unsaturated organic compounds and for this reason I am vital in the hydrogenation of fats and oils. In addition, I am useful in welding under water because I can produce hot flames with temperatures as high as 2000 ^oC.

My immense uses sometimes require expert knowledge regarding my physical and chemical properties as well as how to combine me with other elements safely and in correct proportions. Therefore, specialists such as chemical engineers are well equipped to handle me. Chemical engineers utilize the laws of sciences and mathematics to work out issues related to the production or use of chemicals and many other associated products.

In my purest form, I am regarded as one of the most environmental friendly energy sources. However, certain environmental hazards may arise following the usage of other fuel sources of which I am part. For example, incomplete combustion of gases such as methane and butane leads to the production of carbon monoxide, which causes suffocation. However, this problem can be avoided by ensuring that complete combustion of such fuels takes place in a well-ventilated environment.

Works Cited

Abe, Isao n.d., Physical and Chemical Properties of Hydrogen. PDF file. Web.

Hydrogen (H) 2012. Web.

Everglades National Park (5) 2013. Web.

The Physical Properties of Matter to Name a Few 2013. Web.

Uses and Applications of Hydrogen Gas and Liquid Hydrogen by Industry n.d. Web.

Hydrogen: The Essentials n.d. Web.

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Hydrogen – The Lonely One

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