Chem Question!

Started by O Gaúcho
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O Gaúcho

Full Member
7+ Year Member
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Why is hydrogen not a metal?
I was asked by my professor to explain this question thoroughly. I would appreciate the help! Thanks!
 
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Hydrogen does not participate in ionic bonding with nonmetals...metals do. A metal + nonmetal = ionic bond. Hydrogen + nonmetal = covalent bond, which is a bond only possible between nonmetals.

Also, you probably haven't learned about hydrides yet (H as an anion, so H-), but it is possible to have an ionic compound with a metal and hydrogen, like NaH (sodium hydride). In this ionic example, hydride (and hydrogen) is the anion meaning that it is a nonmetal (sodium is obviously the metal).

Hope this helped!