Hydrogen Formula 

Hydrogen is the most common and basic chemical element in the universe. In the periodic table, it is denoted by the letter “H” and has an atomic number of 1, meaning that its nucleus contains a single proton. The formula of hydrogen gas is H2. Hydrogen is the lightest element. It is tasteless, odorless, and colorless in pure form. This article covers hydrogen formula along with its structure, properties and uses.

What is Formula of Hydrogen?

The chemical formula for hydrogen is simply “H”. Since hydrogen is an element, it consists of only one type of atom, which is hydrogen itself. Therefore, its chemical formula is represented by the symbol “H” in the periodic table.

• However, in nature hydrogen doesn’t exist in the form of an individual atom, rather it combines with other hydrogen atom to form a molecule. 
• Thus, the molecular formula of hydrogen gas is H2. It is the most common form of hydrogen.
• This shows that the atomicity of hydrogen is 2.

Thus, when we refer to hydrogen gas we refer to H2 and not H.

Structure of Hydrogen Formula

In terms of its atomic structure:

• Nucleus: The nucleus of a hydrogen atom contains a single positively charged proton and no neutron in the most common isotope of hydrogen. However, other isotopes deuterium and tritium have neutrons.
• Electron: Hydrogen typically has one electron that orbits the nucleus in one of its energy levels or orbitals.

In molecular structure, hydrogen shares this one electron with another hydrogen atom which also has one electron thus forming a covalent bond between the two hydrogen atoms. Hence, the hydrogen gas has covalent bonds.

Hydrogen atoms can share electrons with other atoms to form covalent bonds, resulting in molecules such as water (H2O) when hydrogen bonds with oxygen.

Properties Of Hydrogen

• The hydrogen gas is colourless.
• The density of this gas is 0.089 g/ml.
• It has a melting point of about 260 °C and a boiling point of about 252 °C.
• This chemical compound is highly reactive because mixtures with air can also be explosive, but only at temperatures of 500 °C or higher.
• It is not reactive at room temperature.
• Hydrogen can react with a variety of other elemental compounds, such as halogens, to form hydrides and acids.

Use Of Hydrogen

• Rocket fuel is one of the most common uses of Hydrogen for energy.
• NASA began using liquid hydrogen as rocket fuel in the 1950s, and they were the first to use hydrogen fuel cells to power the electrical systems on their spacecraft.
• Weather balloons are filled with a mixture of hydrogen and helium. Hydrogen is also widely used in transportation.
• Hydrogen Formula is used in fuel-cell electric vehicles and is considered extremely efficient.
• It is also used in internal combustion engines.
• Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen atoms with oxygen atoms.