Question

\[{D_2}O\] is:
A: product of \[{O_2}\] and \[{H_2}\]
B: simple water in which present heavy metal salts
C: marine water
D: water which form redistillation and condensation

Answer 1

Hint: \[{D_2}O\] i.e. deuterium oxide, is also known as heavy water. It is a compound made up of deuterium and oxygen. Deuterium is a heavy isotope of hydrogen, denoted by either \[^2H\] or \[D\].

Complete step by step answer:
Since deuterium’s atomic mass is greater as compared to that of protium (hydrogen), molar mass of \[{D_2}O\] is more than that of \[{H_2}O\]. Thus, \[{D_2}O\] possess slightly different physical and chemical properties in comparison to H2O. D2O is non-radioactive owing to the deuterium being a stable isotope.
Heavy water also occurs naturally, but in very small amounts as compared to regular water. Deuterium is present naturally at a small concentration of around \[0.015\ ]percent in the elemental hydrogen. Thus, this naturally occurring isotope gets concentrated to yield pure deuterium as D2O. \[{D_2}O\] is employed as a moderator and coolant in nuclear reactors. \[{D_2}O\] can also be produced via hydrogen sulfide-water chemical exchange method, electrolysis and water distillation.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: \[{D_2}O\] is one of the two fundamental moderators that allow a nuclear reactor to function using natural uranium as fuel. The use of \[{D_2}O\] is significant in nuclear proliferator because it makes provision of one additional route to form plutonium that can be used in weapons, totally circumventing uranium enrichment as well as the related technical infrastructure. In addition to this, \[{D_2}O\] moderated reactors can even be utilised to make tritium.