What is the Difference Between Deuterium and Tritium?

Deuterium and tritium are isotopes of hydrogen, meaning they share the same number of protons but have different numbers of neutrons. Here are the main differences between deuterium and tritium:

• Neutrons: Deuterium has one neutron, while tritium has two neutrons.
• Atomic Mass: Deuterium has an atomic mass of 2 amu (atomic mass units), while tritium has an atomic mass of 3 amu.
• Abundance: Deuterium is relatively abundant, with about 0.0156% of hydrogen on Earth's surface being in the form of deuterium. Tritium, on the other hand, is rare in nature and is present in very small traces due to cosmic ray interactions and nuclear weapons tests.
• Radioactivity: Tritium is a radioactive isotope with a 12-year half-life, emitting low-energy beta particles. Deuterium is not radioactive.
• Applications: Deuterium is used in various applications, such as drugs, nuclear weapons, contrast properties, tracing, NMR spectroscopy, nuclear reactors, and nuclear power plants. Tritium is used in analytical chemistry, controlled nuclear fusion, hydrogen bomb secondaries, boosting, neutron initiator, and nuclear weapons.

Both deuterium and tritium are being studied as potential fuels for fusion energy, a clean and abundant source of power that powers the Sun and other stars.

Comparative Table: Deuterium vs Tritium

Deuterium and tritium are both isotopes of hydrogen, meaning they have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Here is a table summarizing the differences between deuterium and tritium:

Deuterium has one neutron, while tritium has two neutrons. Deuterium is a stable isotope, whereas tritium is radioactive. Deuterium has a mass number of 2.0135532, while tritium has a mass number of 3.0160492. Deuterium occurs naturally in a concentration of 0.0156% on Earth, while tritium is significantly rarer. Deuterium has various applications, including drugs, nuclear weapons, contrast properties, tracing, and NMR spectroscopy.