Which group does Hydrogen belong to?
Which group does Hydrogen belong to?
The correct option is A It is best positioned separately
Although Hydrogen is not a metal, it is placed just above alkali metals. This is largely due to the similarity in valence shell electronic configuration. Hydrogen as well as Alkali metals are electropositive and tend to lose an electron to form cations. On the other hand, Hydrogen has a half-filled orbital (as it needs one more electron to mimic noble gas Helium's stable electronic configuration). In this aspect, Hydrogen is similar to group 17 elements - exactly half filled orbitals. Like halogens, it is a non-metal, diatomic and needs one electron to acquire noble gas configuration. Ionization enthalpy of Hydrogen is also close to Halogens. Although there are many similarities and differences with other groups, Hydrogen is best placed separately!! Hence, option (a)
It is best positioned separately
Although Hydrogen is not a metal, it is placed just above alkali metals. This is largely due to the similarity in valence shell electronic configuration. Hydrogen as well as Alkali metals are electropositive and tend to lose an electron to form cations. On the other hand, Hydrogen has a half-filled orbital (as it needs one more electron to mimic noble gas Helium's stable electronic configuration). In this aspect, Hydrogen is similar to group 17 elements - exactly half filled orbitals. Like halogens, it is a non-metal, diatomic and needs one electron to acquire noble gas configuration. Ionization enthalpy of Hydrogen is also close to Halogens. Although there are many similarities and differences with other groups, Hydrogen is best placed separately!! Hence, option (a)
