Hydrogen and Hydrogen Molecule

**Symbol:** H **Atomic number:** 1 **International name:** Hydrogen **General formula:** H₂ **Relative Atomic Weight:** 1.008 **Description:** Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Although hydrogen is flammable, it does not support combustion. Hydrogen atoms are highly reactive and tend to combine and form diatomic molecules (H₂) with a single covalent bond between the atoms. It is classified as a non-metal. **Applications:** Hydrogen has numerous practical applications, serving as a source of energy (e.g., rocket fuel), a reducing agent in chemical syntheses (e.g., the production of ammonia and organic compounds), and in metallurgy. **Occurrence:** Elemental or free hydrogen is rarely found on Earth but is the most abundant element in the universe. On Earth, hydrogen is predominantly found in compounds, especially water and various organic substances. It is also an essential biogenic element.