deuterium

deuterium (dOOtēr'ēum) [key], isotope of hydrogen with mass no. 2. The deuterium nucleus, called a deuteron, contains one proton and one neutron. Deuterium is also called heavy hydrogen, and water in which the hydrogen atoms are deuterium is called heavy water (deuterium oxide, D₂O). Deuterons are sometimes used in particle accelerators, and heavy water is used in “swimming pool” nuclear reactors as a moderator.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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