Chemical reactions of the elements

hydrogen symbol icon

Reaction of hydrogen with air

Hydrogen is a colourless gas, H2, that is lighter than air. Mixtures of hydrogen gas and air do not react unless ignited with a flame or spark, in which case the result is a fire or explosion with a characteristic reddish flame whose only products are water, H2O.

2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l)

Reaction of hydrogen with water

Hydrogen does not react with water. It does, however, dissolve to the extent of about 0.00160 g kg-1 at 20°C (297 K) and 1 atmosphere pressure.

Reaction of hydrogen with the halogens

Hydrogen gas, H2, reacts with fluorine, F2, in the dark to form hydrogen(I) fluoride.

H2(g) + F2(g) → 2HF(g)

Reaction of hydrogen with acids

Hydrogen does not react with dilute acids.

Reaction of hydrogen with bases

Hydrogen does not react with dilute bases.

WebElements Shop

WebElements now has an online shop at which you can buy periodic table posters, mugs, T-shirts, games, molecular models, and more.

WebElements poster Periodic table t-shirts Periodic table mouse mats Molymod molecular model kits Periodic table card games

Isotope data Crystal structure Electronic data History Geology Atom sizes Compounds
hydrogen atomic number