Deuterium
Deuterium is a stable isotope of hydrogen, containing one proton and one neutron in its nucleus, making it heavier than regular hydrogen, which has only a proton. In nuclear fusion, deuterium can fuse with another hydrogen isotope, tritium, to form helium and release a significant amount of energy. This process powers the sun and holds promise for clean, abundant energy on Earth. By harnessing fusion reactions involving deuterium, scientists hope to create a sustainable energy source with minimal environmental impact and no long-lived radioactive waste.
Additional Insights
-
Deuterium is a stable isotope of hydrogen, meaning it is a variant of hydrogen that has an extra neutron in its nucleus. While regular hydrogen has one proton and no neutrons, deuterium contains one proton and one neutron, giving it roughly twice the mass of regular hydrogen. Deuterium occurs naturally in small amounts in water, forming "heavy water" when combined with oxygen. This isotope is important in various scientific fields, including nuclear fusion, where it can be used as fuel, and in certain types of chemical and biological research.