Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe.
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1 . It is the lightest of the elements with an atomic mass of 1.00794 (7) u and the most abundant in the universe and the Earth's crust (it constitutes 83.9% of the visible matter). In the atmosphere, hydrogen is found as a colorless, odorless and flammable gas, in its molecular form H2.
Before continuing, it is important to determine the etymological origin of the term. When doing so we discover that it emanates from the Greek hydrogenium , made up of two clearly differentiated parts: hydro , which is synonymous with "water" ; and genos , which is equivalent to "generator" .
Natural isotopes of hydrogen
Protium and deuterium are the natural isotopes of hydrogen.
The most common in nature is protium, which has a single proton and no neutron. Tritium , on the other hand, is an artificial isotope of hydrogen.
In the water and the stars
Combined with oxygen, hydrogen forms water . The molecules of this substance essential for life are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Hydrogen can therefore be obtained from water through a process known as electrolysis .
It should be noted that hydrogen is present in most organic substances and acids. Even stars , in their main cycle, are formed by hydrogen in a plasma state.
Hydrogen is present in water.
Hydrogen bomb
Likewise, we cannot ignore other concepts that use the word in question. Thus we find what is known as a hydrogen bomb , which is also called a thermonuclear bomb or thermal fusion bomb .
The first time this weapon of mass destruction was exploded was in November 1952 . In one of the Marshall Islands , located in the Pacific Ocean , the hydrogen bomb was detonated in an operation called Ivy . Its results were serious damage to the ecosystem and the birth of a crater more than 40 meters deep.
The energy
It should be noted that hydrogen is used as fuel (it can be applied in the refining of fossil fuels), in the production of ammonia and to hydrogenate oils or fats.
Experts affirm that hydrogen is the element that generates the greatest power in the energy/weight ratio compared to any fuel. On the other hand, hydrogen as a fuel does not generate pollution since it only releases water vapor after combustion . That is why hydrogen cars are expected to be very popular in the future.
Liquid hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide
Currently we have to say that there is also what is known as liquid hydrogen . This, which is usually represented under the abbreviation LH2 , is used primarily within the space field as fuel for different ships. The fact that there is a risk that the tanks that conserve it could explode, due to the difficulty of retaining it in them, is what is causing new ways to store it to be investigated.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention that there is also hydrogen peroxide , commonly called hydrogen peroxide .