Question

select the correct answer. hydrogen (h - 1), deuterium (h - 2), and tritium (h - 3) are the three isotopes of hydrogen. what are the values of a, b, and c in the table? isotope number of protons number of electrons number of neutrons h - 1 1 1 0 h - 2 a 1 b h - 3 1 1 c a. a = 2, b = 3, c = 2 b. a = 1, b = 2, c = 3 c. a = 2, b = 1, c = 3 d. a = 1, b = 1, c = 2 e. a = 1, b = 1, c = 1

Explanation:

Step1: Recall isotope property

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons. Since H - 1, H - 2 and H - 3 are isotopes of hydrogen and H - 1 has 1 proton, then a = 1.

Step2: Calculate neutrons for H - 2

The mass number of H - 2 is 2. For an atom, mass number = number of protons+number of neutrons. Protons = 1, so number of neutrons b=2 - 1=1.

Step3: Calculate neutrons for H - 3

The mass number of H - 3 is 3. Protons = 1, so number of neutrons c=3 - 1=2.

Answer:

D. a = 1, b = 1, c = 2