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Exercises · 9.2

Q.Write the names of isotopes of hydrogen. What is the mass ratio of these isotopes?

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✓ Free question

Hydrogen has three naturally-occurring isotopes, all with atomic number 1 (one proton, one electron) but differing in the number of neutrons:

IsotopeSymbolProtonsNeutronsMass number
Protium11H^1_1H101
Deuterium12H^2_1H (D)112
Tritium13H^3_1H (T)123

Since the mass numbers are 1, 2 and 3 respectively, the mass ratio of protium : deuterium : tritium is 1 : 2 : 3.

Protium is by far the most abundant (~99.98%); deuterium occurs in trace amounts (~0.015%, found in heavy water D2O); tritium is radioactive and occurs in only minute traces (formed in the upper atmosphere by cosmic-ray reactions, or produced artificially in nuclear reactors).

✓Final answer

Protium (¹H), Deuterium (²H/D), Tritium (³H/T); mass ratio = 1 : 2 : 3.

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