Question:
How is heavy water prepared? Compare its physical properties with those of ordinary water.
Solution:
Heavy water, which is deuterium oxide (D2O) is mainly prepared by electrolysis of ordinary water.
1. The molecular mass of ordinary water is 18.015 and that of heavy water is 20.027
2. The melting point of ordinary water is 273.0 and that of heavy water is 276.8
3. The boiling point of ordinary water is 373.0 and that of heavy water is 374.4
4. Density at 298K of ordinary water is 1.000 and that of heavy water is1.106