Where is Hydrogen?
Chemistry
Level
1
Considering its chemical properties and the ions it makes, what is the best location for hydrogen on the periodic table?
Group I A, the alkali metals
Group II A, the alkaline earth metals
Group VII A, the halogens
There is no perfectly suited place for hydrogen.
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1 solution
Hydrogen resembles the alkali metals because of its single s valence electron and because it forms H + ions. However, it also resembles the halogens when it forms hydride ( H − ) or hydrogen gas, ( H 2 ). It is equally appropriate to put hydrogen at the top of Group IA and Group VIIA. There is no ideal location for it on the current periodic table.