I'm a professional in the field of chemistry with a particular focus on the properties and reactions of elements. Let's delve into the reactivity of hydrogen.

Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, and its reactivity is a fascinating subject. In its atomic form, hydrogen is extremely reactive due to its small size and the presence of a single electron in its outer shell. This single electron is what makes hydrogen highly motivated to form bonds with other elements, as it seeks to achieve a stable electronic configuration.

One of the most notable characteristics of atomic hydrogen is its tendency to combine with most elements to form hydrides. For instance, when hydrogen reacts with sodium, it forms sodium hydride (NaH). This reactivity is not limited to metals; hydrogen can also react with nonmetals, further highlighting its versatility. The formation of hydrides is a testament to hydrogen's reducing power, as it donates its electron to other elements, thereby reducing them to their elemental form.

The reactivity of hydrogen extends to its interaction with metallic oxides. This is an important industrial process, as it allows for the extraction of metals from their oxides. When hydrogen reacts with a metallic oxide, it reduces the oxide to the metal, a process that is both exothermic and highly efficient. This reduction capability is crucial in various metallurgical applications.

It's important to note that the reactivity of hydrogen increases with temperature. At high temperatures, almost all metals and nonmetals will react with hydrogen. This is due to the increased kinetic energy of the particles at elevated temperatures, which facilitates the overcoming of the activation energy barrier for the reaction to occur.

Moreover, hydrogen's reactivity is also influenced by its state. In molecular form (H2), hydrogen is relatively stable due to the strong covalent bond between the two hydrogen atoms. However, when a molecule of hydrogen is dissociated into individual atoms, the reactivity is significantly enhanced. This is because each hydrogen atom now has an unpaired electron, making it highly reactive and eager to form new bonds.

In summary, atomic hydrogen is an extremely reactive element. It actively forms bonds with a wide range of elements to create hydrides and is capable of reducing metallic oxides, thereby producing metals in their elemental state. Its reactivity is temperature-dependent, with higher temperatures facilitating more reactions. The dissociation of molecular hydrogen into atoms further increases its reactivity, making it a versatile and powerful reducing agent in the world of chemistry.

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Atomic hydrogen is very reactive. It combines with most elements to form hydrides (e.g., sodium hydride, NaH), and it reduces metallic oxides, a reaction that produces the metal in its elemental state. ... Almost all metals and nonmetals react with hydrogen at high temperatures.read more >>