Which statement correctly describes the number of neutrons in a normal hydrogen atom (protium)?

• A. It has zero neutrons.
• B. It has more neutrons than protons.
• C. It has two neutrons.
• D. It has one neutron.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that a normal hydrogen atom, also called protium, consists of one proton and one electron.
2. Understand that the number of neutrons in an atom is given by the difference between the mass number (total protons + neutrons) and the atomic number (number of protons).
3. For protium, the mass number is 1 and the atomic number is also 1, so the number of neutrons is calculated as: \(\text{neutrons} = \text{mass number} - \text{atomic number} = 1 - 1\).
4. Calculate the difference to find the number of neutrons in protium, which will be zero.
5. Conclude that a normal hydrogen atom (protium) has zero neutrons.