Properties of Heavy Water

Heavy water is another form of water having deuterium in composition. It is denoted D2O. Due to the heavier deuterium, it will have different nuclear properties than a normal H atom. So we say an isotope of an element is a radioactive form of a component. 

A heavy water molecule is not as heavy as a normal water molecule. This is because oxygen atoms contribute more to the weight of the water molecule. It is not the hydrogen atom. 

The number of neutrons in hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium is 1, 2, and 3. This change in the number of neutrons will produce some changes in the properties of that element like boiling point, melting point etc. Heavy water is prepared by multiple electrolysis of water. Heavy water has a long list of uses. Using it as a moderator in nuclear plants is one of the most acknowledged uses of heavy water.

Heavy water importance

Heavy water is another form of water having deuterium in composition instead of protium (single H atom). Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen having 2 neutrons. It is denoted as D2O. It will have different nuclear properties than a normal H atom due to the heavier deuterium. A human body has a minor amount of heavy water naturally. A large amount of heavy water might cause illness to a healthy human body. Deuterium naturally found in water is separated by multiple stages of electrolysis. Then the separated deuterium reacted with oxygen to form heavy water. The girdler sulphide process also produces heavy water. Heavy water has a slightly higher boiling point, freezing point and density than normal water. Normal water has a broader shape, whereas heavy water has a tetrahedral shape due to the extra hydrogen bond present in it.

Properties of heavy water

Due to the change in the number of neutrons, there will be some changes in the properties of heavy water when compared to ordinary water.

Physical properties

• Molar mass is slightly high.
• It is seen as a blue transparent liquid.
• Higher density
• Higher melting point
• Slightly higher boiling point
• Slightly higher heat of evaporation

In short, Heavy water has higher values for all physical properties when compared to ordinary water.

Chemical properties

Heavy water has physical properties as compared to ordinary water. But the chemical properties of heavy water take place at a slower rate when compared to normal water.

• When heavy water is electrolysed, deuterium is obtained
• Heavy water reacts with alkali at a slow pace forming deuterium
• Oxides of metals react with heavy water and form deuteroxides.
• Heavy water reacts with non-metallic oxides to form deuteron acids.

Application of heavy water

Heavy water has a wide range of uses in medicine, biology, and business. In nuclear power reactors, heavy water is used as a moderator. Heavy water is the sole moderator used in nuclear reactors to run natural uranium, other than graphite. The neutrons are slowed by heavy water, which ensures correct fission reactions. The thermostability of macromolecules was discovered to be enhanced by heavy water. Vaccines need this feature to preserve their thermostability. Malignant cells are more affected by heavy water than normal ones. Deuterated anti-cancer medications are known to have fewer negative effects.

Heavy water-Questions

1. What is heavy water?

Heavy water is another form of water having deuterium in composition instead of protium (single H atom)

2. Can we use deuterated water for cancer?

Yes. Heavy water was found to be more poisonous to malignant cells. So we use deuterated water in anticancer drugs. It is also found that these drugs have fewer side effects.

3. What are the physical properties of heavy water?

Molar mass is slightly high; it is seen as a blue transparent liquid, Higher density, higher melting point, Slightly higher boiling point and slightly higher heat of evaporation.

4. What are the chemical properties of heavy water?

When heavy water is electrolysed, deuterium is obtained. Heavy water reacts with alkali at a slow pace forming deuterium, Oxides of metals react with heavy water and forms deuteroxides, and Heavy water reacts with non-metallic oxides to form deuteron acids.

Conclusion

Heavy water is another form of water having deuterium in composition instead of protium (single H atom). The number of neutrons in hydrogen, deuterium and tritium is 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This change in the number of neutrons will produce some changes in the properties of that element like boiling point, melting point etc.

Heavy water is prepared by multiple electrolysis of water. Heavy water has several uses including moderator in nuclear plants, thermostabilized in vaccines and therapeutic purposes in cancer treatment. Heavy water has higher values for physical properties than ordinary water. But in the case of chemical properties, heavy water reacts at a slow pace with chemicals compared to ordinary water.