Hydrogen Atom

Hydrogen Atom

The hydrogen atom is the simplest atom that can possibly exist. Its most common isotope is composed of a single proton and an electron. If you take away either of these parts, you no longer have an atom at all.

There is relatively little hydrogen gas in the earth's atmosphere, but there are plenty of hydrogen atoms showing up in hydrogen compounds such as water, for instance.

Most abundant chemical element

Consider that every molecule of water in all the seas, lakes, and streams includes two hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen makes the list of the ten most abundant elements on the earth.

Uses of Hydrogen

Nearly two thirds of the hydrogen that is commercially produced today is used in the Haber process for manufacturing ammonia. The food industry also consumes a lot of hydrogen for hydrogenating simple vegetable oils. The end products including margarine, cooking oil, and salad dressings, are much healthier for you than their counterparts traditionally produced from animal fats. Finally, a small amount of elemental hydrogen is used in liquid form as a rocket fuel.