Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe. It’s a colorless, odorless gas that’s essential for life.

Think of it like this:

• Hydrogen is the basic building block of the universe.
• It’s a part of water (H₂OH₂O is the chemical formula for water. It means that each water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms (H) and one oxygen atom (O). Examples of where to find H₂O: • Oceans, lakes, and rivers • Rain, snow,… Read More), stars, and many other things.

Examples of where hydrogen is found:

• Water: Two hydrogen atomsAtoms are the tiny building blocks that make up everything in the universe. They are the smallest unit of matter that still retains the properties of a specific chemical element. Think of it like this: • Everything is made of… Read More combine with one oxygen atom (H₂O)
• The Sun and stars: are mostly made of hydrogen
• OrganicThe word “organic” has two main meanings related to living organisms and the natural world. Here’s a breakdown of its definition, origin, and how it applies to food and health: Etymology and Origin: • Origin: The word “organic” stems from… Read More compounds: Hydrogen is in most moleculesImagine tiny building blocks that come together to form everything around you, from water to air to your own body! A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by strong forces called chemical bonds. Think of… Read More that make up living things.
• Hydrogen fuel: a potential clean-energy source.

EtymologyEtymology is the study of the origin and history of words. It’s like detective work, tracing how words have changed over time and moved between languages. Think of it like this: • Words have a long history, just like old… Read More:

The word “hydrogen” comes from Greek:

• “hydro,” meaning “water.”
• “genes,” meaning “forming.”

So, hydrogen literally means “water-forming” because when it combines with oxygen, it creates water!