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Concept

deuterium

Deuterium is a stable isotope of hydrogen, often referred to as heavy hydrogen. While a standard hydrogen atom contains only a single proton in its nucleus, deuterium includes both a proton and a neutron, effectively doubling its atomic mass. It occurs naturally in Earth's oceans at a concentration of about one atom for every 6,400 of ordinary hydrogen. Its unique mass makes it an essential tool in nuclear physics and chemical tracing.

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