Question

Give an account of the main use of hydrogen.

Answer 1

We know that hydrogen is the first element of the periodic table. It is a unique element as its properties are in resemblance with halogens and alkali metal. It has only one electron, so it loses its electron or accepts one electron to attain stable electronic configuration.

Complete step by step answer:
Let’s first understand the oxidation number. It is the total count of electrons that an atom loses or gains. Let's discuss the uses of hydrogen in detail. The reason for various applications of hydrogen is due to its dual nature (halogen and alkali metal). Some uses of hydrogen are,

1. To manufacture fertilizers (nitrogen) and ammonia, hydrogen is used.
2. The unsaturated vegetable fat when hydrogenated results in vanaspati fat.
3. Many organic compounds namely methanol can be produced using hydrogen.
4. Hydrogen chloride is another important organic compound prepared from hydrogen.
5. In metallurgical processes, hydrogen reduces many metal oxides to metals.
6. In many space research activities, hydrogen is used as a rocket fuel.

Note: Let’s discuss some of the physical properties of hydrogen. There is no colour and odour of the hydrogen gas. It is combustible in nature but it does not act as a supporter of combustion. It is insoluble in water and it is of lighter weight than air.
Some important reactions of hydrogen with other elements are:
The reaction of hydrogen with halogen molecules (fluorine, chlorine etc.) produces hydrogen halide.
${{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( g \right) + {{\rm{X}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( g \right) \to 2{\rm{HX}}$
The reaction of hydrogen with oxygen molecules produces water. The nature of the reaction is exothermic (releasing of heat) in nature.
$2{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( g \right) + {{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( g \right) \to 2{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( l \right)$
The reaction of hydrogen with different metals forms respective hydrides. For example,
${{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( g \right) + 2{\rm{M}}\left( g \right) \to 2{\rm{MH}}\left( s \right)$
Here, M is an alkali metal such as lithium, sodium etc.