Why is deuterium oxide called " heavy water"?
it has extra hydrogen atoms
it has extra oxygen atoms
its oxygen atoms are heavier than others
its hydrogen atoms are heavier than others
1 answer
Deuterium oxide is commonly referred to as "heavy water" because it contains a heavier isotope of hydrogen called deuterium. Deuterium has an additional neutron in the nucleus compared to regular hydrogen, resulting in a slightly higher atomic mass. This extra neutron makes the water molecule slightly heavier than regular water, hence the name "heavy water."
3 answers