deuterium oxide

7.5

Water in which most hydrogen atoms are heavier than normal, used to slow neutrons in reactors

noun
/djuːˈtɪəriəm ˈɒksaɪd/

Specialized

: óxido de deuterio

The nuclear reactor uses deuterium oxide as a neutron moderator.

Examples

Deuterium oxide is sometimes called heavy water due to its higher density.
Scientists measured the properties of deuterium oxide in the laboratory.
Scientists use deuterium oxide in various nuclear experiments.
The properties of deuterium oxide differ from regular water.
Deuterium oxide is commonly used as a moderator in nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons.
In the field of nuclear science, researchers often study deuterium oxide for its unique properties.
Many countries use deuterium oxide in their nuclear reactors because of its efficiency in controlling reactions.

Synonyms

heavy water

vsdeuterium oxide

Specialized

5 7.8

A kind of water with heavier hydrogen atoms used in some nuclear reactors

is the form with most or all hydrogen atoms replaced

Surface Forms

deuterium oxide singular

deuterium oxides plural

Morphology

deuterium + oxide

The form 'deuterium oxide' is compositionally an 'oxide of deuterium' so a learner who knows 'deuterium' and 'oxide' can infer it is a chemical compound combining deuterium and oxygen. However, recognising that this specific compound is 'heavy water' (water with deuterium replacing hydrogen) and its role in reactors requires domain-specific chemistry knowledge, so the relation is only partially predictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Deuterium oxide is a chemical name that describes water made with heavier deuterium atoms instead of normal hydrogen. Deuterium is a kind of hydrogen with one extra neutron, so this water is literally heavier, and that's why scientists call it 'heavy water' and use it in nuclear reactors to slow down tiny particles called 'neutrons'.