Tritium is an [[isotope]] of [[hydrogen]], with a [[nucleus]] composed of a [[proton]] and two [[neutrons]]. It is very rare on [[Earth]], as it is only naturally produced by [[cosmic rays]]. Tritium is [[radioactive]] and decays into helium-3 by [[beta decay]], with a [[half-life]] of 4500 days <ref>http://nvl.nist.gov/pub/nistpubs/jres/105/4/j54luc2.pdf</ref>. It has applications in [[nuclear fusion]] because tritium can undergo fusion with [[deuterium]] to produce [[helium]] and large amounts of energy. | Tritium is an [[isotope]] of [[hydrogen]], with a [[nucleus]] composed of a [[proton]] and two [[neutrons]]. It is very rare on [[Earth]], as it is only naturally produced by [[cosmic rays]]. Tritium is [[radioactive]] and decays into helium-3 by [[beta decay]], with a [[half-life]] of 4500 days <ref>http://nvl.nist.gov/pub/nistpubs/jres/105/4/j54luc2.pdf</ref>. It has applications in [[nuclear fusion]] because tritium can undergo fusion with [[deuterium]] to produce [[helium]] and large amounts of energy. |