The Hydrogen Atom

A hydrogen atom contains a single positively charged proton and a single negatively charged electron bound to the nucleus by the Coulomb force.

Isolated hydrogen atoms (atomic hydrogen) are extremely rare on Earth, as a hydrogen atom tends to combine with other atoms in compounds or with another hydrogen atom to form ordinary (diatomic) hydrogen gas, H2.

The term 'atomic hydrogen' refers to isolated hydrogen atoms, which are distinct from the hydrogen atoms found in compounds like water.

<p>Atomic spectroscopy shows that there is a discrete infinite set of states in which a hydrogen atom can exist, contrary to the predictions of classical physics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Atomic hydrogen constitutes about 75% of the baryonic mass of the universe.</p> Signup and view all the answers