Question

Some statements about heavy water are given below:
$\left(a\right)$Heavy water is used as a moderator in nuclear reactions
$\left(b\right)$Heavy water is more associated than ordinary water
$\left(c\right)$Heavy water is more effective solvent than ordinary water
Select correct statements:

• A. $\left(a\right),\left(b\right)and\left(c\right)$
• B. $\left(b\right)and\left(c\right)$
• C. $\left(a\right)and\left(c\right)$
• D. $\left(a\right)and\left(b\right)$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$\left(a\right)and\left(b\right)$

Heavy water is $D_{2}O$, it has higher molar mass than water.
It is used in nuclear reactors, where it acts as a neutron moderator to slow down neutrons so that they are more likely to react with the fissile uranium-235 than with uranium-238, which captures neutrons without fissioning.
Also, dielectric constant of $D_{2}O$ is lower than water so solubility of inorganic substances is greater in$H_{2}O$ than $D_{2}O$.