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How many neutrons are present in a hydrogen atom?

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Final answer:

The number of neutrons in a hydrogen atom can vary depending on its isotope. The most common isotope, ¹H, has no neutrons. The isotope deuterium, ²H, has one neutron, and tritium, ³H, has two neutrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hydrogen atom is the simplest atom in the universe, consisting of one proton in its nucleus and one electron orbiting the nucleus. The chemical symbol for a hydrogen atom is H.

Hydrogen atoms can have different numbers of neutrons, depending on the isotope. The most common isotope of hydrogen, ¹H, has no neutrons. However, there is another isotope called deuterium, ²H, that has one neutron in addition to the proton. There is also a rare isotope called tritium, ³H, which has two neutrons along with the proton.

Therefore, the number of neutrons in a hydrogen atom can be either 0, 1, or 2, depending on the specific isotope.

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