Which of the following isotopes of hydrogen is radioactive?

  1. Protium
  2. Deuterium
  3. Tritium
  4. All of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Tritium
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Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is option 3,i.e. Tritium.

  • Tritium is the radioactive isotopes of hydrogen.
  • Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, flammable gasesous substance.
  • A single hydrogen atom has one proton and one electron.
  • One of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with same atomic number but the different mass number is known as isotopes.  
  • Three isotopes of hydrogen are found in nature:
    • Protium has no neutron.
    • Deuterium has 1 neutron.
    • Tritium has 2 neutrons.
  • Deuterium is used to make heavy water(D2O).
  • Heavy water used in nuclear reactors as a neutron moderator.
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