Physical Properties (with Comparison To Light Water)
| Property | D2O (Heavy water) | HDO (Semiheavy water) | H2O (Light water) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freezing point (°C) | 3.82 | 0.0 | |
| Boiling point (°C) | 101.4 | 100.7 | 100.0 |
| Density at STP (g/mL) | 1.1056 | 1.054 | 0.9982 |
| Temp. of maximum density (°C) | 11.6 | 4.0 | |
| Dynamic viscosity (at 20 °C, mPa·s) | 1.2467 | 1.1248 | 1.0016 |
| Surface tension (at 25 °C, μJ) | 7.187 | 7.193 | 7.198 |
| Heat of fusion (cal/mol) | 1,515 | 1,436 | |
| Heat of vaporisation (cal/mol) | 10,864 | 10,757 | 10,515 |
| pH (at 25 °C) | 7.43 (sometimes "pD") | 7.266 (sometimes "pHD") | 6.9996 |
| Refractive index (at 20 °C, 0.5893 μm) | 1.32844 | 1.33335 |
Physical properties obvious by inspection: Heavy water is 10.6% denser than ordinary water, a difference which is not immediately obvious. One of the few ways to demonstrate heavy water's physically different properties without equipment is to freeze a sample and drop it into normal water (it will sink). If the water is ice-cold the higher melting temperature of heavy ice can also be observed – it melts at 3.8 °C, and thus holds up very well in ice-cold normal water.
An early experiment reported not the "slightest difference" in taste between ordinary and heavy water; on the other hand, rats given a choice between distilled normal water and heavy water were able to avoid the heavy water based on smell, and it may be possible that it has a different taste.
No physical properties are listed for "pure" semi-heavy water, because it is unstable as a bulk liquid. In the liquid state, a few water molecules are always in an ionised state, which means the hydrogen atoms can exchange among different oxygen atoms. Semi-heavy water can be created by a chemical method but would rapidly transform into a dynamic mixture of 25% light water, 25% heavy water, and 50% semi-heavy water (however if it were made in the gas phase and directly frozen to a solid, this semiheavy ice would be stable).
Read more about this topic: Heavy Water
Famous quotes containing the words physical, properties, comparison and/or light:
“The axioms of physics translate the laws of ethics. Thus, “the whole is greater than its part;” “reaction is equal to action;” “the smallest weight may be made to lift the greatest, the difference of weight being compensated by time;” and many the like propositions, which have an ethical as well as physical sense. These propositions have a much more extensive and universal sense when applied to human life, than when confined to technical use.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“A drop of water has the properties of the sea, but cannot exhibit a storm. There is beauty of a concert, as well as of a flute; strength of a host, as well as of a hero.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“From top to bottom of the ladder, greed is aroused without knowing where to find ultimate foothold. Nothing can calm it, since its goal is far beyond all it can attain. Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefore abandoned.”
—Emile Durkheim (1858–1917)
“A circle swoop, and a quick parabola under the bridge arches
Where light pushes through;
A sudden turning upon itself of a thing in the air.
A dip to the water.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)