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Question

Which element contains only one proton and one neutron among the following?

The correct answer is

Deuterium

The atomic number gives the number of protons and the mass number gives protons + neutrons. Hydrogen (atomic number 1) has three isotopes, all with one proton: protium \({}^{1}_{1}\text{H}\), deuterium \({}^{2}_{1}\text{H}\) and tritium \({}^{3}_{1}\text{H}\).

Deuterium has mass number 2, so it has 1 proton and 2 – 1 = 1 neutron. Strictly, deuterium is not a separate element but an isotope of hydrogen; among the given species, however, it is the only one with exactly one proton and one neutron.

Protium has 1 proton and 1 – 1 = 0 neutrons, and tritium has 1 proton and 3 – 1 = 2 neutrons. Helium \({}^{4}_{2}\text{He}\) has 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Hence, Deuterium.

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Similar Questions

  1. Consider the following statements regarding Thomson's model of an atom.

    Statement I: The atom is a sphere of positive charge with electrons scattered inside it.

    Statement II: Thomson's model could explain the presence of the nucleus in an atom.

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