Question

How many types of heavy water are possible?

Answer 1

Heavy water is the oxide of deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron in its nucleus.

• Heavy water is mainly used in chemistry labs.
• Heavy water is completely different from normal water.
• Types of heavy water: Semi-heavy water, Heavy oxygen water, Tritiated water.

1. Semi-heavy Water- It consists of one protium, one deuterium, and one tritium, and HDO is used as the notation to describe semi-heavy water.
2. Heavy Oxygen Water - Water molecules that have isotopes of oxygen like O¹⁷ and O¹⁸ in their structure instead of the usual O¹⁶ are called Heavy Oxygen Water.
3. Tritiated Water- This type of water is radioactive and lacks protium and consists of tritium. The formula for this type of water is T₂O.

• Properties of Heavy Water (D₂O):

1. Heavy water is odorless, colorless, and tasteless liquid.
2. It has a larger molecular weight than water.
3. It has a lower dielectric constant than water.

• Uses of Heavy Water (D₂O):

1. Utilized in germicides and bactericides.
2. In nuclear reactors, heavy water is utilized as a moderator.
3. It is used for the preparation of deuterium.