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Atomic Structure

What is a Hydrogen Molecule?

Hydrogen is a non-metal. Hydrogen has only one electron.
Two hydrogen atoms will each share their one electron to
form a covalent bond and make a hydrogen molecule  (H2).

This is a picture of a hydrogen molecule.

The Structure of a Hydrogen Molecule

By sharing the two electrons where the shells touch
each hydrogen atom can count 2 electrons in its outer shell.
These full outer shells with their shared electrons are now stable.
The H2
molecule will not react further with other hydrogen atoms.

The pair of shared electrons between the two hydrogen atoms
form a single covalent bond.

The structural formula of a hydrogen molecule is written
Hydrogen

There are no ions present (no + or - charges) in hydrogen gas
because the electrons are shared,
not transferred from one atom to another.


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