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heavy water
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Heavy Water
Water containing the isotope deuterium instead of hydrogen (relative molecular mass 20 as opposed to 18 for ordinary water).
Its chemical properties are identical with those of ordinary water, but its physical properties differ slightly. It occurs in ordinary water in the ratio of about one part by mass of deuterium to 5,000 parts by mass of hydrogen, and can be concentrated by electrolysis, the ordinary water being more readily decomposed by this means than the heavy water. It has been used in the nuclear industry because it can slow down fast neutrons, thereby controlling the chain reaction.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
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