Which of the following is a radioisotope of hydrogen?

The correct answer is Tritium.

Key Points

• A rare and radioactive isotope of hydrogen is known as tritium or hydrogen-3.
• One proton and two neutrons make up the tritium atom's nucleus.
• On Earth, tritium occurs naturally very rarely.
• There are very small amounts in the atmosphere, which are created when the gases interact with cosmic rays.
• By exposing lithium metal or lithium-containing ceramic pebbles to radiation in a nuclear reactor, it can be created artificially.
• Tritium is used as the energy source in radioluminescent lights for watches, gun sights, and numerous instruments and tools.
• It serves as a radioactive tracer in scientific and medicinal settings.
• Along with the more accessible deuterium, tritium is also employed as a nuclear fusion fuel in tokamak reactors and hydrogen bombs.

Additional Information

• Xenon:
  • Xenon has the atomic number 54 and the symbol Xe.
  • It is a thick, colourless, and odourless noble gas that is present in minute levels in Earth's atmosphere.
• Technetium:
  • The chemical element technetium has the atomic number 43 and Tc as its symbol.
  • It is the lightest element with radioactive isotopes.
• Thorium:
  • Thorium is a metallic chemical element with low radioactivity.
  • It has the atomic number 90 and the symbol Th.