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Hydrogen atom. Computer artwork representing the structure of a single hydrogen atom. Hydrogen (H2) is a diatomic (two-atom) molecule. Each atom has a nucleus (central sphere) surrounded by an electron cloud (green sphere), containing only one electron. Therefore, in a gaseous state, two atoms will combine to form a covalently bonded molecule, which has two electrons orbiting the nucleus, increasing its stability. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/LAGUNA DESIGN)