heavy water
5
7.8
- noun
- /ˈhɛvi ˈwɔtər/
- Specialized
:
agua pesada
- During the 20th century, heavy water was used as a moderator in several types of nuclear reactors.
- heavy water reactors
- heavy water plant
- heavy water production
This is the true story of the secret mission to destroy Germany's heavy water.
- This is the true story of the secret mission to destroy Germany's heavy water.
- Why can't the neutrino be detected going fast and light in say heavy water on its own rather than with collision?
- Ponson Fleischmann then applied a current going through the Palladium and the heavy water.
Examples
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The Candu uses fission of natural uranium to heat heavy water, which is more efficient at slowing neutrons than regular or light water.
Academic text (2001) -
By 1942, the Americans and British were convinced that heavy water was a critical component in the German nuclear effort.
Academic text (2012) -
But at least for heavy water, the reaction uses so little of it.
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The amount of heavy water may be reduced by a factor of 2, replaced by light water.
Academic text (2001) -
The process steam will no longer require 100 percent heavy water to operate at current efficiencies.
Academic text (2001) -
With the discovery of nuclear fission, both neutrons and heavy water were soon put to work to develop nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
Academic text (2012) -
The scheme of Candu: Current reactors use heavy water and natural uranium.
Academic text (2001) -
By 1935, the facility was shipping 99% pure heavy water to countries throughout Europe for scientific experiments.
Academic text (2012) -
Heavy water was being produced on a large scale at Norsk Hydro's Rjukan plant.
Academic text (2012) -
The Qinshan nuclear power plant in China consists of two 728-megawatt pressurized heavy water reactors.
Blog text (22)
Synonyms
Water in which most hydrogen atoms are heavier than normal, used to slow neutrons in reactors
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is compositionally obvious — a learner will infer it refers to water that is somehow 'heavy' — so there is a clear link to the constituents. However, the precise technical meaning (replacement of hydrogen by deuterium and its role in reactors) requires specialised scientific knowledge beyond B1, so the meaning is only partially predictable.
Etymology
The noun heavy water comes from a simple image: some of the tiny hydrogen parts in the water are a heavier kind, so the whole liquid is a bit heavy. That's why it is called 'heavy water' and why this special water is used in some nuclear reactors.