Question

Why does in a chemical equation hydrogen becomes H₂ rather than simply H

Answer 1

Dear student,
Hydrogen exist as diatomic molecule, I.e., it can only exist by bonding to another hydrogen. You know that hydrogen has only one electron in it's outermost and only shell. But to achieve a stable configuration, there must be two electrons in this shell. So two hydrogen atoms share their electrons by bonding. This is called covalent bonding. You will learn about it in detail in your upcoming classes. Thus, hydrogen is H2 instead of H, as atomic hydrogen is highly unstable and Do not exist in normal conditions. Thank you.