Deuterium

Name:
Deuterium
Detailed information:
(heavy hydrogen). Symbol D. An isotope of hydrogen whose nucleus contains one neutron and one proton and is therefore twice as heavy (aw 2.014) as the nucleus of normal hydrogen. The ratio in nature is 1 part deuterium to 6500 parts normal hydrogen.See Deuteron.

Properties:

Almost identical with hydrogen. D 2.0 (H=1), fp −254.4C (121 mm Hg), bp −249.5C, autoign temp 1085F. Noncorrosive.

Derivation:

Electrolysis of high-purity heavy water, fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen.

Grade:

98, 99.5 atom %.

Hazard:

Highly flammable and explosive. Explosive range 4–74%.

Use:

Bombardment of atomic nuclei, tracer element, thermonuclear reactions.

See Deutero-; Heavy Water.