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Hydrogen Isotopes Radioactivity

On the radioactivity of hydrogen isotopes
There are various isotopes of hydrogen. The common ones are three, one is protium, the other is deuterium, and the third is tritium.

Protium is the main body of hydrogen, and its nucleus has only one proton, which is stable and non-radioactive. With its simple structure, it is widely found in nature, and hydrogen in water is mostly of this kind.

Deuterium, also known as heavy hydrogen. Its nucleus contains one proton and one neutron. Although it is heavier than protium, it is also stable and has no risk of radioactivity. It is important in the research of chemistry, physics, and specific fields of the nuclear industry.

As for tritium, it is the radioactive isotope of hydrogen. One proton and two neutrons in its nucleus are unstable and radioactive due to the special nuclear structure. When tritium decays, beta particles are released and turned into helium-3. In nature, tritium is rare, mostly due to the interaction between cosmic rays and the atmosphere, or artificial nuclear reactions.

Knowing the radioactivity of hydrogen isotopes is of great significance in many fields. In nuclear physics, exploring its decay mechanism can reveal the mysteries of the microscopic world; in the field of energy, in nuclear fusion research, the reaction of deuterium and tritium may be the hope of future clean energy. Therefore, studying the characteristics of hydrogen isotopes in detail is the key to scientific exploration.