Which one of the following is the chemical name of heavy water ?
Deuterium oxide
Let's analyze the question which asks for the chemical name of heavy water. Heavy water is a specific form of water.
Understanding Heavy Water and Its Composition
Regular water has the chemical formula \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \). It is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The hydrogen atoms typically involved here are the most common isotope of hydrogen, which has just one proton and no neutrons (sometimes called protium).
Heavy water is similar to regular water, but the hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium atoms. Deuterium (\( \text{D} \) or \(^2\text{H}\)) is an isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and one neutron. It is "heavier" than the common hydrogen isotope.
Therefore, the chemical formula for heavy water is \( \text{D}_2\text{O} \).
Determining the Chemical Name
Based on its chemical formula \( \text{D}_2\text{O} \), heavy water is composed of two deuterium atoms and one oxygen atom. Following standard chemical nomenclature, a compound made of deuterium and oxygen is called deuterium oxide.
Analyzing the Given Options
- Option 1: Hydrogen oxide
This is the chemical name for regular water, \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \), where H refers to the common hydrogen isotope (protium). Heavy water uses deuterium instead of protium.
- Option 2: Deuterium dioxide
The formula for heavy water is \( \text{D}_2\text{O} \), which has only one oxygen atom per molecule, not two. 'Dioxide' would imply two oxygen atoms.
- Option 3: Deuterium oxide
This name correctly reflects the composition: two deuterium atoms and one oxygen atom, giving the formula \( \text{D}_2\text{O} \). This is the accepted chemical name for heavy water.
- Option 4: Heavy hydrogen oxide
While deuterium is a form of "heavy hydrogen", the systematic chemical name uses the specific name of the element/isotope, which is deuterium, not "heavy hydrogen".
Comparing the options, "Deuterium oxide" is the accurate chemical name corresponding to the composition of heavy water (\( \text{D}_2\text{O} \)).
| Feature | Regular Water | Heavy Water |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) | \( \text{D}_2\text{O} \) |
| Hydrogen Isotope | Protium (\(^1\text{H}\)) | Deuterium (\(^2\text{H}\) or \( \text{D} \)) |
| Chemical Name | Hydrogen oxide | Deuterium oxide |
Revision Table: Heavy Water Chemical Name
| Term | Chemical Formula | Chemical Name |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Water | \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) | Hydrogen oxide |
| Heavy Water | \( \text{D}_2\text{O} \) | Deuterium oxide |
Additional Information: Properties of Heavy Water
Heavy water (\( \text{D}_2\text{O} \)) has slightly different physical and chemical properties compared to regular water (\( \text{H}_2\text{O} \)). For instance:
- It has a slightly higher melting point (\(3.82 \, ^\circ\text{C}\) vs \(0.00 \, ^\circ\text{C}\)).
- It has a slightly higher boiling point (\(101.43 \, ^\circ\text{C}\) vs \(100.00 \, ^\circ\text{C}\)).
- It is denser than regular water.
- It is used as a neutron moderator in certain types of nuclear reactors because deuterium absorbs neutrons much less effectively than protium.
Understanding the difference between isotopes like protium and deuterium is key to understanding the composition and name of heavy water.
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