About Hydrogen

HYDROGEN is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. It is the most abundant of the chemical elements constituting roughly 75% of the universe's elemental mass. At standard temperature and pressure, it is colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless, highly flammable diatomic in nature. It is the lightest element having an atomic mass of 1.00794 amu.

Natural Occurrence
This element is found in great abundance in stars and gas giant planets. Molecular clouds of H2 are associated with star formation. Hydrogen plays a vital role in powering stars through proton-proton reaction and CNO cycle nuclear fusion

Applications

• The largest application of H2 is for the processing of fossil fuels and in the production of ammonia.
  
  
• It is used as a shielding gas in welding methods such as atomic hydrogen welding.
  
  
• H2 is used as a hydrogenating agent, particularly in increasing the level of saturation of unsaturated fats and oils and in the production of methanol.
  
  
• It is used as the rotor coolant in electrical generators at power stations, because it has the highest thermal conductivity of any gas
  
  
• It is widely used as a lifting agent in balloons and airships.
  
  
• Hydrogen is used vastly for the inflation of weather balloons.