Hydrogen, the most abundant chemical in our universe, is quite remarkable. Let’s take a look at some curious facts…

* Hydrogen (H) can bond to other chemicals such as oxygen giving us water, or bond to itself giving up hydrogen gas.

* As a single atom it has the lowest weight, atomic weight that is.

* Hydrogen’s atomic number = 1 and its atomic weight = 1.0079.

* Hydrogen does not like to live alone. It has infinity for bonding to other atoms.

* Hydrogen gas is very flammable and was associated with the explosion of the Hindenburg airship.

* Hydrogen is the most abundant element. About 75% of the element mass of the universe is hydrogen.

* Hydrogen is French for water-maker, from the Greek word hudor meaning water and gennen meaning to generate.

* When burnt, hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water (H2O) and 286 kJ/mol of energy.

* Hydrogen is actually the oldest element in the universe, being formed between 3 and 20 minutes after the Big Bang.

* Hydrogen provided the lift for the first reliable form of air travel, used in the airship invented by Henri Giffard.