Question

Why is di-hydrogen not preferred in balloons?

Answer 1

Generally dihydrogen gas is not preferred to use in balloons because of the chemical properties of the hydrogen gas. We usually prefer to use gas which is inert in the atmosphere because these gases are non-reactive in nature. Thus we will study the chemical properties of hydrogen gas.

Complete answer:
Generally in balloons we prefer gas which is light in weight and which is inert in the atmosphere. Hydrogen gas is not preferred to use in balloons as it is combustible in nature. At high temperature hydrogen gas catches fire and can even explode. Hydrogen numbs also uses the same concept of combustion of hydrogen gas. Also in the early period we used hot air balloons where we used hydrogen gas, a combustion material. Since it catches fire rapidly, it is not preferred to use it now. Instead of dihydrogen we prefer to use helium gas. This is because helium gas has the same weight as that of hydrogen gas and helium gas is inert gas. Thus it is incombustible gas which does not catch fire. Also helium gas is lighter than air. Therefore helium gas balloons always head towards the sky. Therefore we can conclude that since hydrogen is combustible in nature we cannot use it in balloons.

Note:
When dihydrogen catches fire at high temperature a great amount of heat energy is released. The heat energy released is used in the hydrogen bombs as a medium of explosion. Thus by using hydrogen gas it is not safe for us. Dihydrogen gas is formed when two atoms form a covalent with each other.