1H1.008
Hydrogen
Reactive non-metalsPoor conductors that build the molecules of living things and much of the air.
1s¹
- Atomic number
- 1
- Atomic mass
- 1.008
- Protons
- 1
- Neutrons
- 0 (most common)
- Electrons
- 1
- Shells
- 1
- State at 25 °C
- Gas
- Position
- Group 1, period 1
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byHenry Cavendish, 1766Henry Cavendish: 1 element
Cavendish made a gas he called “inflammable air” by reacting metals with acid. Antoine Lavoisier later named it hydrogen, meaning “water-maker”, because it burns to form water.
Did you know?
- It is the lightest element and the most common one in the universe.
- About three-quarters of the Sun's mass is hydrogen.
Where it's found
- Water (H₂O)
- The Sun and stars
- Every living thing
What it's used for
- Making ammonia for fertilisers
- Rocket fuel
- Fuel cells for clean vehicles
Try it
Split water into hydrogen and oxygenVirtual lab only
- 1Pass electricity through water in the virtual lab.
- 2Compare the gas collected at each electrode.
What you'll see: Twice as much hydrogen as oxygen collects, because water is H₂O.