What is the difference between two hydrogen atoms, and one hydrogen molecule?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 19, 2016

What is the difference between 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 hyrogen molecule?

Explanation:

#H_2 rarr 2H*#

The standard state of elemental hydrogen is as the dihydrogen molecule, #H_2#. We could add energy to the LHS of the equation above and produce two hydrogen atoms as shown. The #H*# radical is a highly reactive species - of course it could react with another #H*# species (to form what), but it could also react with #C-H# or #X-X# bonds to form #C*# and #X*# radicals that continue the chain of reactivity.

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