Chapter 6

Study of the First Element — Hydrogen

Class 9 Exercise 6(A)
Question 1. Justify the position of Hydrogen in the periodic table.
Answer. Hydrogen is the first element of the periodic table. Its atomic number
is 1, and it has only one electron in its valence shell. Therefore, it belongs to the
first group and the first period of the periodic table.
As hydrogen shows a dual nature, it resembles alkali metals of Group IA and
the halogens of Group VII A (17). Thomson suggested a separate position for
hydrogen. He puts hydrogen at the top of the periodic table, that does not
disturb the symmetry of the periodic table.
Question 2 Why does hydrogen show dual nature?
Answer. Hydrogen resembles the alkali metals of Group IA and the halogens of
Group VIIA. This is due to the fact that it has only one electron in its valence
shell, hence it behaves like the alkali metals which have one valence electron.
At the same, it also behaves like halogens as it has just one electron less than
the nearest inert gas.
Question 3. Compare hydrogen with alkali metals on the basis of :
Answer Hydrogen and Alkali metals both form a cation, by loss of an electron.
H ⟶ H+ + e-
Li ⟶ Li+ + e-
Na ⟶ Na+ + e-
All these elements have electropositive character.
Both Hydrogen atoms and alkali metals are reducing agents.
CuO + H2 ⟶ Cu + H2O
CuO + 2Na ⟶ Cu + Na2O
Both hydrogen and alkali metals react with oxygen to form respective oxides.
Hydrogen – forms H2O
Sodium – forms Na2O
Both alkali metals and Hydrogen burns in air to form oxides.
Hydrogen forms its oxide (water)
2H2 + O2 ⟶ 2H2O
Sodium also forms its peroxide
2Na + O2 ⟶ Na2O2
Question 4 In what respect does hydrogen differ from
Answer. Properties of hydrogen different from Alkali metals & Halogens are:
Hydrogen has only one shell but alkali metals and halogens have two or more
shells.
Oxides of hydrogen, H2O, is a neutral oxide. Oxides of halogens like Cl2O,
Cl2O7, etc., are acidic in nature, while oxides of alkali metals like Na2O, K2O
etc., are basic in nature.
Question 5 Give the general group study of hydrogen with reference to:
Answer
(i) Hydrogen has 1 valence electron in its orbit.
(ii) Hydrogen burns in Oxygen to form oxides (water).
Hydrogen burns with a pop sound.
2H2 + O2 ⟶ 2H2O
(iii) Hydrogen acts as a reducing agent.
(iv) CuO + H2 ⟶ Cu + H2O
Question 6. Why was hydrogen called ‘inflammable air’?
Answer. Hydrogen is called inflammable air, because it is a highly combustible
gas.
Question 7. State some sources of hydrogen.
Answer. In free state,:- hydrogen is found in traces in earth’s crust and
atmosphere. Volcanic gases contain 0.025% of it, the earth’s crust 0.98%, the
earth’s atmosphere 0.01% and the atmospheres of the Sun and the stars also
contain hydrogen in large amounts.
In combined state :- Plants and animal tissues are made up of compounds of
hydrogen with carbon, oxygen and nitrogen.
Hydrogen is the characteristic constituent of acids, alkalis, hydrocarbons and
proteins. In addition to these, sugar, starch, petroleum products, proteins,
carbohydrates and also fats contain hydrogen. In water, it is 11.1% by weight.
Question 8. Compare hydrogen and halogens on the basis of :
Answer
(i) Like halogens (fluorine and chlorine), hydrogen too is a gas.
(ii) Both show a tendency to form anions since they are one electron short
of the nearest inert gas configuration.
H + e- ⟶ H-
Cl + e- ⟶ H-
(iii) Both have the valency 1.
(iv) Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to form neutral oxides (H2O); Halogen
reacts with oxygen to form acidic oxides (Cl2O, Cl2O7 etc.)
Question 9
Which metal is preferred for the preparation of hydrogen
Answer
(i) Reactive metals like sodium react with cold water forming their
corresponding oxides and evolving hydrogen.
2Na + 2H2O ⟶2NaOH + H2 ↑
 Sodium amalgam (alloy of sodium and mercury) react smoothly with
water. Therefore, hydrogen can be safely prepared from this amalgam.
(ii) Zinc reacts with acids liberating hydrogen gas and forming their
respective salts.
(iii) Zn + 2HCl ⟶ ZnCl2 + H2 ↑

Question 10
(i) Write the reaction of steam with red hot iron.
(ii) Why is this reaction considered a reversible reaction?
(iii) How can the reaction proceed continuously?
Answer
(i) 3Fe + 4H2O ⇌ Fe3O4 + 4H2 ↑
(ii) This reaction is reversible because if the hydrogen formed is not
removed, then the iron oxide (triferric tetraoxide) formed is reduced
back to iron.
(iii) The hydrogen formed should be removed in order for the reaction to
proceed continuously.
Question 11 Why are zinc and aluminium considered to have a unique
nature. Give balanced equations to support your answer.
Answer. Zinc and aluminium are considered to have a unique nature because:
(i) They can react with acids and can even react with hot conc.
Alkalis to form hydrogen and a soluble salt.
Zn + 2NaOH ⟶ Na2ZnO2 + H2
2Al + 6NaOH ⟶ 2Na3AlO3 + 3H2
Zn + 2HCl ⟶ ZnCl2 + H2
2Al + 6HCl ⟶ 2AlCl3 + 3H2
(ii) Their oxides and hydroxides are amphoteric in nature i.e., they
react with both bases and acids to give salt and water.
ZnO + 2HCl ⟶ ZnCl2 + H2O
 ZnO + 2NaOH ⟶ Na2ZnO2 + H2O
Al2O3 + 6HCl ⟶ 2AlCl3 + 3H2O
Al2O3 + 2NaOH ⟶ 2NaAlO2 + H2O
Question 12. Write balanced equations for the following
Answer

(i) Fe + 2HCl ⟶ FeCl2 + H2

(ii) Zn + 2NaOH ⟶ Na2ZnO2 + H2
(iii) Pb + 2KOH ⟶ K2PbO2 + H2
(iv) 2Al + 6NaOH ⟶ 2Na3AlO3 + 3H2
Question 13. Write balanced equations and give your observations when the
following metals react:
(i) Sodium with cold water
(ii) Calcium with cold water
(iii) Magnesium with boiling water
(iv) Magnesium with steam.
Answer
(i) When Sodium reacts with cold water, it melts, forming a silvery
globule, which darts about on the surface of water. It catches fire
and burns with a golden yellow flame. Bubbles of hydrogen gas
are liberated. The solution formed is colourless, soapy, slightly
warm and alkaline.

2Na + 2H2O ⟶2NaOH + H2 ↑

(ii) Calcium sinks in water and the reaction is less vigorous than
Sodium. Bubbles of hydrogen gas are liberated and the solution
turns milky, turbid and alkaline. If red litmus is introduced in
solution, it turns blue.
Ca + 2H2O ⟶ Ca(OH)2 + H2 ↑

(iii) Magnesium reacts slowly with boiling water and forms a base,
magnesium hydroxide, liberating hydrogen gas.

Mg + 2H2O ⟶ Mg(OH)2 + H2 ↑

(iv) Magnesium burns in steam with an intense white light, liberating

hydrogen gas and white ash which is magnesium oxide.

Mg + H2O ⟶ MgO + H2 ↑

Magnesium oxide crumbles down due to heating. Further exposing

magnesium to steam results in the liberation of hydrogen gas.

Question 14
(i) Under what conditions iron reacts with water?

(ii) Give the balanced equation of the reaction.

(iii) What is noticed if the products are not allowed to escape?

Answer

(i) Red hot iron reacts with steam, forming triferric tetra-oxide and
hydrogen gas.

(ii) 3Fe + 4H2O ⇌ Fe3O4 + 4H2 ↑

(iii) If the hydrogen formed is not removed the iron oxide formed is
reduced back to iron, as the reaction is reversible.
In the beginning, the forward reaction is fast and the backward
reaction is slow. As the products are formed and the reactants get
consumed the backward reaction becomes faster. There comes a time
when the forward and the backward reactions acquire the same
speed. An equilibrium stage is reached at 700°C and the amounts of
the reactants and the products do not change.

Question 15
From the knowledge of activity series, name a metal which shows the
following properties:

(i) It reacts readily with cold water

(ii) It displaces hydrogen from hot water

(iii) It displaces hydrogen from dilute HCl

(iv) It forms a base which is insoluble in water.

Answer

(i) Sodium

(ii) Magnesium

(iii) Zinc
(iv) Calcium

Question 16
Complete the following word equations:

(a)Sodium hydroxide + zinc ⟶ hydrogen + ……………

(b) Calcium + water ⟶ calcium hydroxide + ……………

Answer

(a)Sodium hydroxide + zinc ⟶ hydrogen + sodium zincate

(b) Calcium + water ⟶ calcium hydroxide + hydrogen