Which of the following forms of hydrogen emits low energy $\beta$- particles ?

(B) Tritium ${ }_{1}^{3} \mathrm{H}$

(C) Deuterium ${ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}$

(D) Protium ${ }_{1}^{1} \mathrm{H}$

JEE Main · 2021 · 26 Feb 2021 · Shift 2 · Hydrogen

Which of the following forms of hydrogen emits low energy

β

- particles ?

(A)Proton $H^{+}$
(B)Tritium $_{1}^{3} H$ ✓ Correct
(C)Deuterium $_{1}^{2} H$
(D)Protium $_{1}^{1} H$

Answer: (B)

Solution

Of the three isotopes of hydrogen only tritium is radioactive. Its nucleus holds one proton and two neutrons, and one neutron changes into a proton with emission of an electron:

_{1}^{3} H \to_{2}^{3} He +_{- 1}^{0} e

The energy released in this decay is only about

18

keV, so the emitted

β

particles are of low energy. Protium and deuterium have stable nuclei and

H^{+}

is a bare proton with nothing to decay. The form of hydrogen that emits low energy

β

particles is tritium.

JEE Main · 2021 · 26 Feb 2021 · Shift 2 · Single correct option

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