Position Of Hydrogen
The placement of hydrogen in the periodic table is debated; which property allows it to be placed alongside the alkali metals of Group 1?
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- classification of elements and periodicity in properties
- Topic
- position of hydrogen
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
It has a single electron and can form unipositive ion
Hydrogen has an ambiguous position because it shares some properties with Group 1 alkali metals and others with Group 17 halogens. Like the alkali metals, hydrogen has a single electron in its outermost shell, with the configuration 1s^1, and it can lose this electron to form a unipositive H^+ ion, just as alkali metals form M^+ ions. This resemblance justifies placing hydrogen at the top of Group 1. However, hydrogen also resembles halogens by needing one electron to complete its shell and forming H^- in some compounds, which is why its placement is genuinely debated. The option that it forms acidic oxides is not the basis for a Group 1 placement. The option that it is a noble gas is false, since hydrogen is reactive. The option of gaining seven electrons is incorrect. The dual nature and contested placement of hydrogen are highlighted in NCERT. Plausibility check: hydrogen's single valence electron and formation of H^+ directly parallel alkali-metal behaviour, supporting its tentative Group 1 position.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter classification of elements and periodicity in properties, covering the topic of position of hydrogen. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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