Question

Why are `"H^+` ion and proton synonymous?

Answer 1

See explanation

Explanation:

By far the most common isotope of hydrogen is `""^1H` (a.k.a. protium), which has one electron and a nucleus consisting one proton and no neutrons.

If you make the hydrogren atom into a hydrogen ion by removing an electron, then all you are left with is one proton.

So `""^1H^+` and proton are synonymous.

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Hydrogen has two other isotopes:

• `""^2H`, also denoted `D` and called deuterium.

• `""^3H`, also denoted `T` and called tritium.

The ions of these isotopes include respectively one or two neutrons - not just a proton.