Hydrogen is a chemical element, the simplest in structure and the most common in nature. According to some scientific data, this element accounts for over ninety percent of all atoms. The most important compound in which hydrogen is present is water. Its chemical formula is written like this: H2O. A hydrogen atom consists of one proton, representing the nucleus, and one electron. This is the only element that is a combustible gas.
How is the hydrogen atom located in the periodic table?
This element is located at the top of the first group. This is done because the hydrogen atom, losing its electron, forms a positive ion with one charge. However, under certain conditions, hydrogen can acquire metallic properties. Under ordinary conditions, it exhibits only properties characteristic of non-metals. Hydrogen has significant differences from the rest of the elements belonging to the first group.
How to get hydrogen in a laboratory?
Hydrogen can be obtained by the action of non-concentrated acids on metals: Zn (solid zinc) + 2HCl (aqueous hydrochloric acid) = ZnCl2 (aqueous zinc oxide) + H2 (gas)
Hydrogen production by hydrolysis: 2H3O- + 2e- = H2 (gas) + 2H2O (water.)
Hydrogen production is possible through the action of alkalis on aluminum or zinc. These metals can react with aqueous potassium or sodium hydroxide solutions . In this case, hydrogen is formed:
Zn (zinc) + 2OH- + 2H2O = (Zn (OH) 4) 2- (tetrahydroxozincate ion)) + H2 (gas)
Al (aluminum) + 2OH- + 6H2O = (Al (OH) 4) - (tetrahydroxoaluminate ion) + H2 (gas).
Also, this chemical element can be obtained by hydrolysis of aqueous solutions: CaH2 (calcium hydride) + 2H2O (water) = Ca (OH) 2 (calcium hydroxide) + 2H2 (hydrogen).
Hydrogen isotopes
There are three isotopic forms of this chemical element: protium, deuterium and tritium. At the same time, natural hydrogen contains about 99% of protium, the remaining percentage is deuterium. The third isotope is a radioactive unstable isotope. For this reason, in nature, it is found only in the form of traces. Tritium emits radioactive particles, and its half-life is 12.3 years.
Isotopic forms of hydrogen have almost identical chemical properties, however, they differ significantly in physical. There is a deuterium analogue for every hydrogen compound. The most important of these is deuterium oxide (or heavy water). This substance is used in nuclear reactors. Get it through the electrolysis of water.
Chemical properties of hydrogen
The chemical element we are considering can reduce non-metals of 4-7 groups, oxides and organic unsaturated compounds, oxidize metals, forming hydrides as a result.
Hydrogen compounds
These are ionic, complex and covalent hydrides, as well as hydrides such as interstitial compounds.
Hydrogen production
- Bohr process;
- from natural gas or naphtha (naphtha);
- through cracking and reforming of hydrocarbons;
- using electrolysis of brine (i.e. an aqueous solution of sodium chloride).
Hydrogen atom in quantum mechanics
A hydrogen atom is important in quantum mechanics, since for it the two-body problem has an analytical approximate or exact value. These solutions can be used for different hydrogen isotopes, but with a suitable correction. The hydrogen atom in quantum mechanics is described by a two-particle wave function. It is also considered as an electron not participating in the motion in the electrostatic field of an atomic heavy nucleus.
Boron hydrogen atom
In 1913, Bohr Niels proposed his model of the hydrogen atom. It has many simplifications and assumptions. Despite the fact that the model was not entirely correct, Bohr derived the radiation spectrum from it and obtained the correct values of the atomic energy levels.