Question

Hydrogen is
a) electropositive
b) eletronegative
c) Both electropositive as well as electronegative
d) Neither electropositive nor as a electronegative

Answer 1

Option C is correct.

Hydrogen is both electropositive as well as electronegative.

Answer 2

Hydrogen is both electropositive as well as electronegative.

• Hydrogen can act as both an electropositive and electronegative atom and hence it's position on the period table is uncertain. It can be placed in group 1 with the alkali metals and also with the halogens in group 17.
• The reason is that it contains a single electron. When hydrogen reacts with alkali metals, it takes up one electron from them, forming H2 molecule and hence shows an electronegative character.
• On the other hand, hydrogen combines with halogens of group 17 by losing its electron to form H+ ion. This shows its electropositive character.
• Although there are similarities to both group 1 and group 17 elements, hydrogen is placed in the first position of the period table due to its atomic number of 1 and its small size.