Question

Why hydrogen, oxygen,nitrogen etc. cannot exist freely in atomic state ?

Answer 1

Atoms of most of the elements exist in the form of molecule or ion, since they are most reactive. For example, hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, etc. However, atoms of some elements, which are non-reactive, exist in free-state in nature. For example helium, neon, argon, etc.

Usually atoms exist in following two forms:

In the form of molecules

In the form of ions

Answer 2

the reasons are,
1.they are not noble gases,so they lose electrons to be stable in molecular form.
2.rhey are gases