Question

Why nascent hydrogen is more reactive than molecular hydrogen?
(A) The production of nascent hydrogen is associated with the release of high energy. This released energy activates the nascent hydrogen and makes it more energy rich than that of ordinary occurring molecular hydrogen. Because more energy means more reactivity. Nascent hydrogen is more reactive than molecular hydrogen.
(B) In the time of formation nascent hydrogen is in the form of minute bubbles with high internal pressure which makes it more reactive.
(C) Both A and B
(D) none of these

Answer 1

Atomic hydrogen is obtained by dissociation of a hydrogen molecule using an electric arc. This form of hydrogen is extremely reactive as it has very little life time. Nascent hydrogen is obtained when zinc reacts with sulphuric acid or by reducing agent.

Complete step by step answer:
The two major reasons for higher reactivity is associated with the release of high energy.
(1) This production of nascent hydrogen is associated with the release of high energy. This released energy activates the nascent hydrogen and makes it more energy rich than that of ordinary occurring molecular hydrogen. Because more energy means more reactivity, nascent hydrogen is more reactive than molecular hydrogen.
(2) The next reason for higher reactivity of nascent hydrogen is related to the high internal pressure. In the time of formation nascent hydrogen is in the form of minute bubbles with high internal pressure which makes it more reactive.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: Nascent hydrogen is a concept that was once invoked to explain dissolving-metal reactions, such as the Clemmensen reduction and the Bouveault-Blanc reduction. Since organic compounds do not react with hydrogen gas, a special state of hydrogen was postulated.