Question

Hydrogen has three isotopes (A), (B) and (C). If the number of neutron(s) in (A), (B) and (C) respectively, are (x), (y) and (z), the sum of (x), (y) and (z) is :

• A. $4$
• B. $3$
• C. $2$
• D. $1$

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To solve this question, we must understand the concept of hydrogen isotopes. Hydrogen has three naturally occurring isotopes, which are:

1. Protium - Denoted as \(^1_1\text{H}\), Protium does not have any neutrons.
2. Deuterium - Denoted as \(^2_1\text{H}\), Deuterium has one neutron.
3. Tritium - Denoted as \(^3_1\text{H}\), Tritium has two neutrons.

These isotopes can be labeled as (A), (B), and (C) in any order. The question specifies that:

• (A), (B), and (C) represent the three isotopes of hydrogen.
• The number of neutron(s) in (A), (B), and (C) are \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) respectively.

Based on the isotopes of hydrogen:

• Protium (A) has 0 neutrons, so \(x = 0\).
• Deuterium (B) has 1 neutron, so \(y = 1\).
• Tritium (C) has 2 neutrons, so \(z = 2\).

Thus, the sum of \(x\), \(y\), and \(z\) is calculated as follows:

x + y + z = 0 + 1 + 2 = 3

The correct answer is 3, which is found by adding the number of neutrons in each isotope of hydrogen.