1. It is the simplest… and one of the oldest
Atoms are composed of a nucleus full of protons (positive charges) and neutrons (no electric charge), surrounded by electrons (negatively charged). What differentiates one chemical element from another is, at its most basic level, the number of protons it contains in its nucleus. That is why today we can fulfill the dreams of alchemists, transforming lead into gold by adding three simple protons … Although, yes, we can only do it in minute quantities in particle accelerators worth millions.
Hydrogen is the simplest element of all because it is composed of a single proton in its nucleus, accompanied by an electron. This simplicity is the reason that it was the first element to form after the Big Bang (along with some helium), which began to condense into large clouds of gas that would give rise to the first stars and, later, galaxies.
2. It is the lightest
Hydrogen is so abundant that it is estimated to represent 90% of the atoms in the universe. But it must be said that it is also the lightest element so, although it is so abundant, it “only” represents 75% of all ordinary matter in terms of mass .
3. It is an “impure” element
Although it is so abundant in the rest of the universe, on Earth we do not find pure hydrogen in any significant quantity. And it is normal: it is so light compared to the rest of the gases that make up the atmosphere, that it tends to rise to the highest layers and escape into space.
4. Who discovered it?
That is why no one knew of its existence until 1766, when Henry Cavendish observed that putting acid on some metals gave off a flammable gas that he did not know, which he called “ flammable air ” . At the time it was believed that it could be a theoretical element that was believed to exist inside matter and was responsible for the flames. Although Cavendish thought that he could have found this mysterious element that caused the fire, his investigation led him to conclude that it was actually just another gas.
5. What does your name mean?
Among other properties, it was noted that this gas formed water when oxidized. When hydrogen burns, two hydrogen atoms combine with one oxygen atom from the atmosphere and form the water of all life. And that is why Antoine Lavoisier baptized the element with the name of hydrogen , which comes from the Greek ” hydros “, ” water “, and ” genes “, ” creator ” or ” generator “.
6. It is the fuel of the stars
In the 20th century it was discovered that hydrogen is the fuel for stars and that in their nuclei they fuse it to produce other elements that contain more protons, giving rise to the rest of the elements in the periodic table. These more complex elements are scattered through space when the largest stars explode in the form of a supernova. And it is these same elements that, over time, end up forming planets and, hopefully, life.
