Hydrogen

chemistry · universe · elements

Powers the stars. Hydrogen is the main fuel that makes stars like our Sun shine. Inside stars, hydrogen atoms smash together and release enormous amounts of heat and light that travel across space.

Hides in water. You drink hydrogen every single day without seeing it. Water is made of hydrogen and oxygen atoms bonded together, so hydrogen is literally in every glass of water you drink.

Super lightweight. Hydrogen is the lightest element in the entire universe. It's so light that balloons filled with hydrogen can float up into the sky, almost like magic.

Catches fire easily. Hydrogen gas burns really well and can explode when it mixes with air and gets a spark. This makes it useful as fuel but also something scientists have to handle very carefully.

Most abundant everywhere. Hydrogen makes up about three-quarters of all the normal matter in the whole universe. No other element comes close to being as common as hydrogen.