Science Common Sense


892 - What is hydrogen, and what role does it play in the universe?

Hydrogen is a type of gas and it's the lightest and most common element in the universe. It's made up of one tiny particle called a proton and one electron.

Hydrogen plays a big role in the universe because:

  1. It's the fuel that makes stars shine bright. When hydrogen is combined with other elements and heated, it releases a lot of energy in the form of light and heat.
  2. It's a part of almost everything around us, including water, plants, and even you.
  3. Hydrogen is also a clean-burning fuel, which means it doesn't produce bad pollution when it's burned.

In short, hydrogen is really important because it helps make stars shine, is part of many living things, and can be used as a clean energy source.