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Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe and plays a significant role in science and everyday life. It was discovered by Henry Cavendish in 1766, who identified it as a distinct substance formed during reactions between metals and acids. Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-metallic gas with very low density and high diffusibility. It exists in three isotopic forms—protium, deuterium, and tritium—which differ in the number of neutrons present in their nuclei. In the laboratory, hydrogen is commonly prepared by the reaction of dilute acids with metals like zinc, while industrially it is produced through methods such as steam reforming of hydrocarbons and electrolysis of water. Hydrogen shows unique physical and chemical properties; it is highly combustible and reacts with elements like oxygen, halogens, and metals to form hydrides. The presence of hydrogen gas can be confirmed by the pop test, where it burns with a characteristic popping sound when a lighted splint is brought near it. Hydrogen has wide applications, including use as a fuel, in the manufacture of ammonia and methanol, in hydrogenation of oils, and as a reducing agent in metallurgy. Due to its high energy content and clean combustion that produces only water as a by-product, hydrogen is considered a promising next-generation fuel for sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions.