Element Hydrogen, H, Non Metal
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Hydrogen History
Hydrogen was discovered in 1766 by Henry Cavendish, an English chemist and physicist; he observed a gas produced by zinc-acid reaction, flammable in the air. Paracelsus, Boyle, Lemery and other scientists of 16 - 18 centuries prepared hydrogen by metal-acid reactions, observed the burning and explosions of inflammable gas. In 1783, Lavoisier, who was investigating the composition of water by its synthesis and analysis, gave the element the name of hydrogen or hydrogene, from the Greek words "hydor" (water) and "gennao" (give birth to). The isotopes were discovered in 30-s of 20th century. They play very important role in science and engineering. In the end of 1931 Urey, Murphy and Brickwedde analyzed the matter residue from the simple evaporation of liquid hydrogen and found very small amount of an isotope of hydrogen with an atomic mass of 2. It was called Deuterium, D, from the Greek word for "two". After four years another, heavier isotope of hydrogen 3H, was found by electrolysis of heavy water. It was called Tritium, from the Greek word for "third".
Hydrogen Occurrence
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe (in great abundance in Sun, giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn, stars, interstellar medium, nebulae); Hydrogen makes up 63% of space matter, 36% makes Helium and 1% make other elements. Hydrogen is the third most plentiful element on Earth (after oxygen and silicon), it constitutes the basis of hydrosphere. Most of the Earth's hydrogen is in the form of chemical compounds (such as water, living creatures, oil, natural gas and minerals). It has also been observed in the upper layers of atmosphere.
Hydrogen comprises 3-4% of the cells dry matter. Its ability to form a vast array of compounds with carbon and, especially, with oxygen (water) has become one of the factors of origin of life on the Earth. It is involved in all biochemical and physiologic reactions.
Hydrogen Neighbours
Periodic Table | | | | | |