Why is “heavy water” used in nuclear energy, are not potable to drink, even it’s just 1 molecule more than H2O?
In: Chemistry
Heavy water is used in nuclear energy as a moderator. Nuclear reactors run by neutrons hitting uranium-235 atoms causing them to split and release more neutrons. It is very important that enough of these neutrons hit more atoms to sustain the reaction. Heavy water slows down the neutrons which increases the likelyhood of them intereacting with a uranium 235 atom.
Why is not potable to drink, heavy water messes with the chemical reactions involving water because it’s slightly different in mass , a large enough dose makes that toxic. It is not 1 molecule different, it’s 1 neutron. Just a slight correction.
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