Why is the atomic weight of hydrogen 1?
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The mass of an atom is determined by the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. The nucleus of a carbon atom contains 6 protons and 6 neutrons, so the atomic weight of carbon is 12. Meanwhile, the nucleus of a hydrogen atom has 1 proton and 1 neutron, so its atomic weight should be 2. Why is it 1?
A hydrogen atom doesn’t have neutrons; check a chemistry book, hehe
Doesn’t a hydrogen atom consist only of protons and no neutrons?
Hehe, it seems I need to learn some more basic knowledge
H has isotopes: protium (hydrogen), deuterium, and tritium, which contain 0, 1, and 2 neutrons respectively. The latter two are used as nuclear fuel. @jiaguoyun
The answer upstairs is the correct one. Hydrogen has three isotopes, with atomic masses of 1, 2, and 3. They are called protium, deuterium (heavy hydrogen), and tritium (superheavy hydrogen) respectively, and their nuclei consist of 1 proton, 1 proton plus 1 neutron, and 1 proton plus 2 neutrons respectively. Protium and deuterium are widely present in nature, while tritium is extremely rare and is mainly produced through nuclear reactions. The three isotopes of hydrogen have essentially the same chemical properties, but their physical properties differ significantly.
Sure enough, it fooled me. I’ve completely forgotten it.
Hydrogen has only one proton; it is what we commonly refer to as helium. Deuterium and tritium are its isotopes, and they occur in smaller quantities. http://baike.baidu.com/view/20263.htm might be useful to you