Chapter 6, Problem 8A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

There are three isotopes of the element hydrogen: hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium. Hydrogen has no neutron, deuterium has one, and tritium has two neutrons. The isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium have mass numbers of one, two, and three respectively.

Answer to Problem 8A

Correct answer :

The correct answer is option D. the number of neutrons.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option D. the number of neutrons. Hydrogen isotopes differ in the number of their neutrons. Hydrogen has no neutron, deuterium has one, and tritium has two neutrons. So, the correct answer is option D.

Explanation for incorrect answer :

Option A. the number of protons. Hydrogen has three isotopes. They each have one single proton. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Option B. the number of electrons. They each have one single electron. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Option C. the number of energy levels. They each have same number of energy levels. So, this is an incorrect answer.