Question

The element symbol for hydrogen is:
(A) K
(B) H
(C) He
(D) Hn

Answer 1

In most of the chemical names the initial letter is the elemental symbol. Whereas, sometimes two letters from the left-hand side or sometimes the initial letter and one of the letters from the element name is taken into account.

Complete step by step solution:
Hydrogen is the first most element detected and also registered in the periodic table.
Let us know about the key facts about hydrogen-
Atomic number – 1
Atomic weight – 1.00794
Melting point – 13.81 K (-259.34${}^\circ$C or -434.81${}^\circ$F)
Boiling point – 20.28 K (-252.87${}^\circ$C or -423.17${}^\circ$F)
Density – 0.00008988 grams per cubic centimetre
Phase at room temperature – gas
Element classification – nonmetal
Period number – 1
Group number – 1
Group name – none
Symbol – H

Therefore, option (B) H is correct.

Additional information:
-From words hydro and genes, which together mean “water forming.”
-Hydrogen is pronounced as HI-dreh-jen.
-Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe. It is estimated that 90% of the visible universe is composed of hydrogen.
-Hydrogen is the raw fuel that most stars ‘burn’ to produce energy. The same process, known as fusion, is being studied as the possible power source on earth.
-Hydrogen is a commercially important element. Large amounts of hydrogen are combined with nitrogen from the air to produce ammonia through a process called the Haber process.
-Hydrogen has three common isotopes. Protium is the simplest isotope of hydrogen. Deuterium is the second stable isotope. The third isotope, tritium.

Note: Hydrogen’s symbol is H and helium’s symbol is He; do not get confused between two of them. None of the elements has a symbol of Hn. So, option (D) can never be the answer.