Isotopes
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 2.3.1
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:
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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.
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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 is a hydrogen atom with 1 proton and 2 neutrons.
- It is very rare.
- It is used in thermonuclear fusion weapons.
Test yourself on Isotopes
Which of these are true about the isotopes of hydrogen?
Protium contains 0 neutrons and tritium contains 2 neutrons. How many more neutrons does tritium have than protium?