How Many Neutrons Does Hydrogen Have? — Passage
Hydrogen is the lightest and simplest element in the universe. It’s also the most common—about 90% of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen! But what makes hydrogen so unique? One reason is that it usually has no neutrons at all.
Atoms are made up of three particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus (the center of the atom), and electrons orbit around the outside. Most elements have both protons and neutrons in their nucleus—but hydrogen is different.
The most common form of hydrogen has:
● 1 proton
● 0 neutrons
● 1 electron
This form is called protium. It’s the simplest atom possible. But hydrogen can also exist in two other forms, called isotopes:
● Deuterium has 1 proton and 1 neutron
● Tritium has 1 proton and 2 neutrons
Even though these are still forms of hydrogen, they have different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
So, how many neutrons does hydrogen have?
In its most common form—zero. But depending on the isotope, it can have 1 or 2.
Fun Fact; Tritium, a rare form of hydrogen with 2 neutrons, is slightly radioactive and is used to glow in watch dials and emergency signs!
What is the main idea of the passage?
Hydrogen is the heaviest elementHydrogen always has neutronsHydrogen has zero neutrons in its most common formHydrogen is made of only electronsHow many protons does hydrogen have?
210It changes every timeIn its most common form, how many neutrons does hydrogen have?
2103What are isotopes?
Different elements with the same number of protonsAtoms with different numbers of protons and electronsAtoms of the same element with different numbers of neutronsThe heaviest types of atomsWhat is the name of the most common form of hydrogen?
HeliumTritiumDeuteriumProtiumHow many neutrons does deuterium have?
2103What do all forms of hydrogen have in common?
They have 2 neutronsThey all have 1 protonThey have no electronsThey have 3 protonsWhy is hydrogen unique among the elements?
It is heavier than oxygenIt is made only of neutronsIts most common form has no neutronsIt is the rarest element in the universeRelated Content
