5 Fun Facts About Hydrogen

Hydrogen gas is one of the most common gases in the world and most of us have heard of it in our science class back in school. As of today, with many sophisticated technologies in hand, mankind has managed to make a hydrogen-powered car that can move as far as 500km in distance without leaving any harmful by-products(only water) in the air.

Hydrogen is closely related to being a light gas, highly flammable, and can lead to explosions if not handled properly. Despite being light, the gas is rarely used to fill up air balloons in the sky.

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In this case, the gas used will be helium. Even though the price is slightly high, it is preferred for being inert and less reactive than hydrogen. Here are some fun facts regarding hydrogen.

1. Simplest Element In The Periodic Table

Hydrogen is a colorless, tasteless, and highly flammable gas that resides first in the periodic table denoted by 1 atom. It is also the most simplest and abundant element on the face of the earth.

However, hydrogen does not exist in a single form(H) or even as molecules(H2) in its natural state. Hydrogen boils at the temperature of -252.879 °C(-423.182 °F) and possesses a gas density of 0.082 kg m-3 at room temperature(25 °C, 1 atm).

The earliest chemical property of hydrogen that was known was that hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water. The word hydrogen comes from the Greek word which means water maker.

2. Made Through Chemical and Biological Processes

Hydrogen is produced through various chemical processes such as steam methane reforming, coal gasification, electrolysis, and also the biological way.

Around 97% of the hydrogen that exist were produced based on hydrocarbon fuel. But, this type of process results in greenhouse gases that pollute the air, thin out the ozone layer as well as increase the global temperature ultimately causing climate changes.

Thanks to the initiatives of researchers and scientists, they have now created what's called green hydrogen from a renewable source that does not emit greenhouse gases.

3. Used In Making Margarine Through Hydrogenation

This gas can also be used to change vegetable oil into semi-solid or solid oil products. For instance, the food industry utilized hydrogen gas to make hydrogenated vegetable oil like margarine and butter.

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The vegetable oil will be made into different products depending on the level of hydrogenation being employed. As you can see from the image above there is a series of processes whereby the vegetable oil becomes more solidified as the process went on.

Such fats are mostly used in making different kinds of pastries like cakes and biscuits. It also contributes to the high level of trans fatty acids. So care must be taken to not consume too many trans fatty acids in your diet.

4. Fuel in Vehicles and Rockets

A chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell

This is perhaps the most promising benefit of hydrogen as it is used as fuel in cars and rockets. The hydrogen reacts with oxygen in the fuel cells to produce electricity and water.

Inside a fuel cell electric vehicle(FCEV) or more known as a hydrogen car, the fuel cells are assembled in a series and organized way to generate a suitable voltage and current that powers up the motor vehicle.

Liquid hydrogen plays a crucial role in space exploration handled by the National Space Agency(NASA) ever since the Apollo program. It has the advantage that is not available with other fuels mainly its low molecular weight and high energy emission during its combustion with liquid oxygen.

Liquid fuel is mostly used as an additional projection for rockets against the earth's gravity.

5. Making Ammonia Gas And Fertilizer

Haber-Bosch process

Before fertilizer is made, hydrogen gas is processed and converted to ammonia through a process known as Haber-Bosch. It involves the combination of hydrogen gas and nitrogen under certain temperatures and pressure with a metal catalyst.

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The ammonia gas that is obtained will then be used to make ammonium nitrate, a type of fertilizer used for agriculture. Aside from that, ammonia gas is also used in household cleaning products.

Final Words

It can be said that there are still many uses for hydrogen gas in our daily lives including as an agent for hydrochloric acid, refrigerant, methanol, and many more. But these are some of the fun facts that some of you might want to know as it is very relevant in today's world.

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