What is deuterium?

Deuterium is indeed an isotope of hydrogen. Isotopes are variations of an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. In the case of hydrogen, it usually exists in the form of protium, which has one proton and no neutrons. Deuterium, however, contains one proton and one neutron, which gives it a different atomic mass but retains the chemical properties of hydrogen.

This unique characteristic of deuterium allows it to be used in various scientific applications, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and studies involving heavy water (D2O), which is water where the usual hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium. Understanding isotopes like deuterium is crucial in fields like chemistry and biology, where they can influence reaction rates and mechanisms.