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Isotopes

Every atom of the same element will contain an identical number of protons (the same atomic number). But atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons: these atoms are known as isotopes. Hydrogen has 3 isotopes:

Protium

Protium

  • Protium is a hydrogen atom with 1 proton and 0 neutrons.
  • 99.98% of hydrogen atoms are protium.
  • It is used in hydrogen fuel cells and the production of plastics.
Deuterium

Deuterium

  • Deuterium is a hydrogen atom with 1 proton and 1 neutron.
  • Around 0.02% of hydrogen atoms are deuterium.
  • It is used in nuclear fusion.
Tritium

Tritium

  • Tritium is a hydrogen atom with 1 proton and 2 neutrons.
  • It is very rare.
  • It is used in thermonuclear fusion weapons.
Jump to other topics
1

Atomic Structure

2

Chemical Bonding

3

Quantitative Chemistry

4

Chemical Changes

5

Energy Changes

6

The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7

Organic Chemistry

8

Chemical Analysis

9

Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10

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