The oldest, simplest, lightest gas—but what is hydrogen exactly? Here are the basic identifying features of hydrogen.
NAME: “Dihydrogen” is the scientific name of what is commonly referred to as “hydrogen”.
CHEMICAL FORMULA: H2
COMPOSITION: Two interlocking hydrogen atoms.
AGE: It is the oldest molecule in the Universe. It appeared after the Big Bang, more than 13 billion years ago.
SIZE: It is the smallest molecule that exists in the Universe.
WEIGHT: It is the lightest molecule in the Universe.
ADDRESSE: It is the most abundant molecule in the Universe and is found in the stars, like the Sun, as well as in gaseous planets, like Jupiter.
SPECIFICS: The hydrogen molecule is colorless, odorless and non-toxic.
ROLE: It is the Sun’s fuel, enabling the star to transmit heat and light to the Earth. It is also the fuel of choice for rockets and is already being used to propel electric cars that produce their own power onboard. Hydrogen is used as a reagent in many industries, including oil refining.
One liter of hydrogen gas weighs just 90 mg under normal conditions of pressure and temperature; this is equal to three postage stamps.
The hydrogen molecule is 50 000 times smaller than the thickness of a hair.