What is Hydrogen, Where it is Found

Where it is Found

Hydrogen (H) occurs combined in water, plant and animal tissue, wood, coal, gas, and all acids.

Properties

It resembles both nitrogen and oxygen in being colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It does not dissolve much in water and it will not cause things to burn, but unlike either nitrogen or oxygen it burns readily and even explodes when mixed with air and brought into contact with fire. It is the lightest substance known and, because of this fact, is used to fill balloons.

Uses

Hydrogen is important to the biologist because it unites readily with oxygen and forms water. It also combines with both oxygen and carbon (another element) and forms a whole series of compounds called fats, sugars, and starches. It is an essential ingredient in all organic tissue.

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What is Nitrogen, Where it is Found

Where it is Found. Nitrogen (N) is another important element. It makes up four-fifths of the air. It is found combined with several minerals in the soil and exists in the living tissue of all organic thingp.

Properties. Nitrogen resembles oxygen in being colorless, odorless, and tasteless, and in that it will not burn. It is less soluble in water and lighter in weight. It is the exact opposite.of oxygen in its behavior, for it will not cause combustion, nor will it combine readily with other elements. Its compounds decompose easily.

Uses. It is found in the active living substance of all plants and animals and is essential to their life. Its various compounds are our most necessary foods.

All fertilizers which we use for plants, as well as meat, milk, eggs, and many other animal foods contain very important compounds of nitrogen.

If the air were pure oxygen, fires could not be controlled and things would oxidize too rapidly. Thus, another important use of nitrogen is to restrain the activity of oxygen and make the atmosphere suitable for life.

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