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What are the differences between protium, deuterium, and tritium?

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Hydrogen has three naturally occurring isotopes, which are distinguished primarily by the number of neutrons in their nuclei and their stability.1

  • Protium (1H): The most abundant form of hydrogen, its nucleus consists of a single proton with no neutrons. It has an atomic weight of approximately 1.12
  • Deuterium (2H): Also known as heavy hydrogen, its nucleus contains one proton and one neutron, giving it an atomic weight of approximately 2. It is a stable isotope that makes up about 0.0156 percent of natural hydrogen. Because it reacts more slowly than protium, it is frequently used as an isotopic tracer in chemical research.13
  • Tritium (3H): This isotope has one proton and two neutrons, resulting in an atomic weight of approximately 3. Unlike the other two, tritium is radioactive with a half-life of 12.32 years. It is extremely rare in nature and is often produced through nuclear reactions.41