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Naming History
Hydrogen derives its name from the greek words hydro meaning "water" and genes meaning "creator" due to its ability to create water when burned in the prescence of oxygen.
Discovery
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe (making up 75% of all matter), and it is one of three elements (others being Helium & Lithium) created by the Big Bang. Hydrogen was noticed as far back as the 1500's when it was discovered that metals, such as iron, would dissolve in strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid, generating gas bubbles (hydrogen gas). The generated hydrogen gas bubbles were observed exhibit properies unlike a typical gas known at that time, as burning the hydrogen gas bubbles generated more heat than suspected. However, it wasn't until 1766, that Henry Cavendish discovered Hydrogen to be a discrete substance and was considered formally discovered.
Characteristics
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and is found all over the Earth, space, and even in human bodies. Elemental Hydrogen is a gas at room temperature.
Hydrogen is the lightest element (about 15 times lighter than air), and has been used in early airships to help them fly.
Hydrogen is present in many different molecules and it is the third most abundant element in the body.
Blood contains about 10 % Hydrogen in the form of water.
Hydrogen makes up about 5 % of bones.
Human tissue is made of 10 % Hydrogen.
There is approximately 7 kg of Hydrogen in a typical human body.
The ability to produce a large amount of heat, when burned, and only water as a combustion product, has generated a large area of research in utilizing Hydrogen as a fuel.
The interaction between Hydrogen atoms and other atoms, known as hydrogen-bonds, are the origin of why water expands upong freezing, and even how biological systems work.
Naturally Occurring Minerals
Due to Hydrogen's large abundance it is found in numorous naturally occuring minerals. Although there are not any minerals that contain Hydrogen specifically, it readily resides in many minerals as a component in water (H2O). Water is essential to life, where without it, life would not exist.
Where can I find this element @ home
The most common source of Hydrogen is water, which can be seen coming out of the kitchen sink, in a toilet/shower, rain clouds, or even in your drink or sandwich.
Any plant contains hydrogen, and the movement of positively charged Hydrogen atoms (protons) within the plants leads to their ability to grow (photosynthesis).
Common ingredients in baking or foods, such as vinegar, lemon juice, coffee, chocolate, etc., contain Hydrogen.
The transfer of positively charged Hydrogen atoms (protons) in your stomach from stomach acid helps break down food in your digestive system.
Chemical drain cleaners utilize hydroxide (OH-), a base containing Hydrogen, to dissolve the materials that clog drains.
Your clothes also contain Hydrogen atoms attached to other atoms that make up the material of your clothing.
Laundry detergents and soaps also contains Hydrogen.
Hydrogenated fats and oils are generated by the addition of Hydrogen to unsaturated fats and oils. This process is used in the generation of margarine.
Just about everything you see has some Hydrogen atoms in it.