What
is Hydrogen?
It’s Simple!
Hydrogen is the simplest, lightest element in the universe. It
is made up of one proton and one electron. Because of its
simplicity, it is believed by some that hydrogen is the root of
all elements.
It’s Light! When hydrogen escapes into the atmosphere, it is so
light that it scatters immediately upward in the air (it’s 14
times lighter than air). This means that a hydrogen spill won’t
pool on the ground, pollute groundwater, or soak into clothing—it
removes itself!
It’s Everywhere!
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, making
up more that 90% of all matter. On Earth, it is the third most
abundant element in the Earth’s surface, found in water and all
organic matter.
What’s Its
Nature? In its normal gaseous state, hydrogen is colorless, odorless,
tasteless, and is nontoxic, which makes it different from every
other common fuel we use.
What Happens
When Hydrogen Burns? Hydrogen burns readily with oxygen, releasing
considerable energy as heat and producing only water as exhaust.
When hydrogen burns in air (which is mostly nitrogen), some oxides
of nitrogen (NOx, contributors to smog and acid rain) can be formed,
but much fewer pollutants are formed than when normal hydrocarbon
fuels such as gasoline and diesel are burned. Because no carbon
is involved, using hydrogen fuel eliminates carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, and does not contribute to global warming.
References:
-- Periodic
Table
-- DOE
Website
