Question:hard

Which of the following statement about hydrogen is incorrect ?

Updated On: May 8, 2026
  • Hydrogen never acts as cation in ionic salts
  • Hydronium ion, ${H_3O^+}$ exists freely in solution
  • Dihydrogen does not act as a reducing agent
  • Hydrogen has three isotopes of which tritium is the most common
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To determine which statement about hydrogen is incorrect, let's examine each one:

  1. Hydrogen never acts as cation in ionic salts: This statement is true. Hydrogen can exist as a cation (\(H^+\)), but in ionic salts, it doesn't typically form stable ionic compounds where it acts as a cation.
  2. Hydronium ion, ${H_3O^+}$ exists freely in solution: This statement is true. The hydronium ion, \(\text{H}_3\text{O}^+\), is a common representation of hydrogen ions in aqueous solutions, signifying that protons do not exist freely but associate with water molecules.
  3. Dihydrogen does not act as a reducing agent: This statement is false. Dihydrogen (\(H_2\)) is indeed a reducing agent and can readily donate electrons to other substances, reducing them in a chemical reaction.
  4. Hydrogen has three isotopes of which tritium is the most common: This statement is incorrect. Hydrogen has three isotopes: protium (\(^1\text{H}\)), deuterium (\(^2\text{H}\)), and tritium (\(^3\text{H}\)). Among these, protium is the most abundant isotope, not tritium. Tritium is relatively rare.

Upon reviewing all statements, the incorrect one is: "Hydrogen has three isotopes of which tritium is the most common." Therefore, the correct answer is this statement.

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