Question

The chemical formula of heavy water :

• A. H₂O
• B. D₂O
• C. H₂O₂
• D. T₂O

Answer 1

Answer:

B. D₂O

Heavy Water Basics

• The chemical formula for heavy water is D₂O.

• It is chemically known as Deuterium oxide.

• Unlike regular water (H₂O), which contains hydrogen atoms with a single proton, heavy water contains deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen).

• A deuterium atom has one proton and one neutron in its nucleus, making it approximately twice as heavy as standard protium hydrogen.

• Nuclear Reactors: Heavy water is primarily used in nuclear reactors as a neutron moderator. It slows down fast neutrons, enabling fission to occur more effectively in reactors fueled by natural uranium (such as the CANDU reactor design).

• Production: It is produced by separating deuterium from regular water, often through processes like the Girdler sulfide process or fractional distillation.