{Hydrogen: The First Element}

Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the first element of the periodic table and it has the simplest
electronic configuration of 1.

Nature of Hydrogen Discovery of Hydrogen

➡ Hydrogen shows dual nature as it has ➡ Hydrogen was initially known as
atomic number of 1 due to which either inflammable gas
loses electron like alkali metals to ➡ Robert Byle (in 1672) established the
acquire stability showing elementary or basic character of
electropositive nature hydrogen
➡ It can also acquire stability by gaining ➡ Henry Cavendish(in 1776) prepared first
a electron like halogens therefore, hydrogen in the pure state and
showing electronegative nature described its properties and recognised
it as an element and he found that
Position of Hydrogen the gas was inflammable and it burnt
in air to produce water.
As Hydrogen shows nature of both alkali ➡ Lavoisier(in 1783) established its name
metals (group 1) and halogens (group 17) and 'hydrogen' meaning water producer
therefore it is placed above Lithium[Li] in
group 1 and Fluorine in group 17.
Occurrence of Hydrogen
Similarities of Hydrogen In The Free State
➡ Hydrogen makes up approximately of
with alkali Metals 1% of the earth's crust and stands
ninth in abundance among the
➡ It has 1 valence electron elements present in the earth's crust
➡ It exhibits electropositive nature(H - 1e ➡ Hydrogen is seldom found in free state
-> H+) on the planet earth
➡ Have valency of 1+ ➡ Exists upto 0.01% in the earth's
➡ Has Strong affinity for non metals atmosphere
➡ Acts as Reducing Agents ➡ And in minute traces in volcanic gases
and to a higher extent around the sun
Similarities of Hydrogen and the stars
In The Combined State
➡ Hydrogen is distributed in combination
with Halogens with other elements in combined state
In plants and animals tissues are
It has 1 valence electron ➡
➡ made up of compounds of hydrogen
➡ It exhibits electronegative nature(H + 1e along with carbon, oxygen and
-> H-) nitrogen.
➡ Have Valency of 1- In water about 1/9th by mass is of
It forms ionic and covalent bonds ➡
➡ hydrogen
➡ Forms Diatomic molecules As a constituent of different
It is a good reducing agent ➡
➡ substances i.e., acids, alkali, petroleum
products and organic substances
 Preparation OfHydrogen
Why Nitric Acid Can't Be
General Method used ??
Using Cold Water and Metals ➡Nitric acid is a powerful oxidising agent and
➡ Potassium the nascent oxygen is formed on its
2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2 decomposition which oxidises the hydrogen
in the water.
➡ Sodium (it melts into a globule and
darts about in the water due to which ➡However Magnesium and manganese
however reacts with very dil. HNO3 at low
it is wrapped in wire then it is used in
the preparation.) temperature liberating H2 since oxidising
2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 action of the acid is reduced due to dilution.
➡ Calcium (It is expensive due to which it
can’t be used) Why Lead can’t be used in
Ca + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2 + H2 preparation of hydrogen
These reaction can’t be used for the ➡ Leads react with dil. HCl and dil.
preparation of hydrogen because these H2SO4 forming and insoluble coating of
reactions are violent, vigorous and exothermic lead chloride [PbCl2] and lead
and the heat liberated is later ignites the Sulphate[PbSO4] respectively and
hydrogen hence further reaction comes to a
Using hot Water or steam and stop.

Metals Using bases

➡ Magnesium (used hot water) ➡ Zn + 2NaOH → Na2ZnO2 + H2
Mg + H2O → MgO + H2 ➡ Zn + 2KOH → K2ZnO2 + H2
➡ Aluminium (used steam) ➡ Pb + 2NaOH → Na2PbO2 + H2
2Al + 3H2O → Al2O3 + H2 ➡ 2Al + 2NaOH + 2H2O → 2NaAlO2 +
➡ Zinc (used steam)
3H2
Zn + H2O → ZnO + H2
➡ Iron (used steam) • Zn, Pb, or Al react with hot conc. Alkali i.e
NaOH and Koh forming hydrogen and the
3Fe + 4H2O F e 3O4 + H2 respective salt
• Mg, Al, Zn, Fe don't react with cold water Unique nature of Zn, Pb and
to liberate hydrogen due to which Mg is
reacted with boiling water but the reaction Al
is slow. Zinc, lead and aluminium form oxides
➡
• Mg, Al, Zn and Fe react with stem in the
heated state and form the corresponding e.g. ZnO and hydroxides eg. Zn(OH)2
oxide and hydrogen. which are amphoteric in nature i.e.,
• Iron reacts with steam and the reaction is react with base and acids to die salt
reversible and water.
Using acids
➡ Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2
Laboratory Method
➡ 2Al + H2SO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + 3H2
➡ Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2
➡ Fe + 2HCl → FeCl2 + H2

• K, Na, & Ca react with dil. H2SO4 and dil

HCl but the reaction is highly explosive
and practically not feasible
• Mg, Al, Zn, & Fe react with dil. H2SO4
and dil HCl forming hydrogen and the
respective salt
➡ Reaction: Zn + 2HCl[dil.] → ZnCl2 +
H2
➡ Reactants: 1. Granulated Zinc in flat
bottom flask [X].
2. Dilute Hydrochloric acid added through the the cause of an explosion which my
thistle[Y]. take place if the gas leaks.
➡ Procedure: 1. Granulated Zinc is placed ➡ The lower end of the thistle funnel
in the flat bottom flask and should dip below the level of the flute
hydrochloric acid[or dil. Sulphuric acid in the flask thereby minimising the
acid] is added slowly from thistle or chance of any leakage of the
dropping funnel hydrogen gas through the thistle funnel
2. A brisk effervescence is seen with evolution
of hydrogen gas. Reactants:
➡ Purification: 1.Granulated Zinc being ➡ Granulated zinc is commercial zinc
impure on treatment with dil. HCl or obtained from molten zinc. It may
H2SO4 evolves in traces gaseous contain traces of impurities which has
impurities. a slight catalysing effect on the
2. These impurities may be further removed by reaction.
passage of impure gas through three washer ➡ .Addition of traces of copper[II]
bottles and a U-tube. sulphate to the reaction medium also
— Washer Bottle 1 - Contains AgNO3 solution enchases the speed of the reaction
which absorbs impurity-Arsine[AsH3] and ➡ The preferred acid is dilute
phosphine[PH3] hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid.
Nitric acid being a strong oxidising
— Washer Bottle 2 - Contains Pb(NO3)2 agent oxidises the hydrogen formed to
solution which absorbs impurity- water and Is not used as the acid I.
hydrogen sulphide[H2S]. The reaction with zinc
—Washer Bottle 3- Contains KOH solution Collection of Hydrogen:
which absorbs impurity-NO2, Co2 and SO2
➡ Hydrogen is almost insoluble in water.
— U-Tube 4 - Contains anhydrous CaCl2 ➡ Even though hydrogen is lighter than
which absorbs impurity-moisture. air it is not collected by downward
➡ Precautions:1. No leakage of gas displacement of air since it forms an
should take place and no flame must explosive misture with air.
be near the apparatus. ➡ Pure dry hydrogen is collected over
2. Hydrogen is collected mercury or in a flask previously
after all the air in the apparatus is allowed evacuated thereby having absence of
to escape [pure hydrogen burns quietly in air.
air hence its purity can be tested].
3. The end of the thistle Purification of Hydrogen:
funnel should dip below the level of the dil. ➡ Granulated Zinc on reaction with dilute
Acid in the flask ‘X’ or the hydrogen gas acids imparts traces of gaseous
may escape out through the thistle funnel impurities which are removed by
‘Y’. passage through different solutions.
➡ Arsine and phosphine through silver
➡ Collection: Hydrogen as is collected by nitrate solution hydrogen sulphide
the downward displacement of water. through head nitrate solution, Nitrogen
Apparatus: dioxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur
dioxide through KOH solution moisture
➡ Hydrogen forms an explosive mixture using a drying agent i.e., caused
with air hence the complete apparatus calcium chloride.
is airtight any leakage of the gas.
➡ A naked flame should not be brought
near the apparatus since it may be

Test of Hydrogen
Hydrogen is: presence of catalyst Pt or Ni at high
➡ Colourless pressure and temperature 200°C. This
➡ Odourless is known as hydrogenation.
➡ Burns quietly in air with a pale blue flame ➡ Similarly the hydrogenation of coal is
➡ Burns with a pop sound done.
➡ Extraction of metals: It is used as a
Uses: reducing agent in the extraction of
metals.
➡ Used in the form of fuel
➡ In meteorological balloons to study ZnO + H2 → Zn + H2O
weather conditions.
➡ Hydrogenation of oil: Hydrogen is ➡ In welding and cutting of metals as it
added to organic compounds in the burns in atmosphere of hydrogen to
produce oxy-hydrogen flame which is
 used for same

Oxidation Reaction & Agents

➡ Addition of Oxygen:
2Cu + O2 → 2CuO Losing of electron from atom or ion
➡ − 2
➡ Removal of Hydrogen Fe − 2e → Fe
H2S + Cl2 → 2HCl + S
➡ Addition of electronegative Agents:
➡ Loss oxygen, electronegative radical.
2FeCl2 + Cl2 → 2FeCl3 ➡ Gains hydrogen, electropositive radical.
➡ Examples:
➡ Removal of electropositive Gases: O2, Cl2
2KI + H2O2 → 2KOH + I2 Liquid: H2O2, bromine
Solids: MnO2, NaNO3,

Reduction Reaction & Agents

➡ Addition of Hydrogen:
CuO + H2 → Cu + H2O ➡ Gaining of electron from atom or ion
3 − 2
Removal of Oxygen Fe + e → Fe
➡
Cl2 + H2S → 2HCl + S
Agents:
➡ Addition of electropositive ➡ Loss hydrogen, electropositive radical.
3FeCl2 + H2S → 2FeCl2 + 2HCl + S ➡ Gains oxygen, electronegative radical.
➡ Examples:
➡ Removal of electronegative Gases: H2, CO
2HgCl2 + SnCl4 → hg2Cl2 + SnCl4 Liquid: HCl, HF
Solids: K, Na

Redox Reaction
➡ A chemical reaction involving both oxidation of one substance and reduction of the other.
➡ It involve loss or gain of electrons where oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.
Zn + Cu SO4 → Zn SO4 + Cu