The physical properties of heavy water are different from that of normal water. Give reasons
Answers
Are physical properties of water and heavy water different?
No, they are not.
Water - H2O - is made of two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom covalently bonded together.
Heavy water has exactly the same structure, except that, instead of hydrogen atoms, there are isotopes of hydrogen known as 'Deuterium'. Hydrogen has one proton in its nucleus and its Relative Molecular Mass = 1, whereas deuterium has one proton plus one neutron in it nucleus, and the Relative Molecular Mass = 2 making it 'heavier' hydrogen. Consequently, the water is also heavier. Mass of water = 18 g/mol, mass of heavy water = 20 g/mol.
Since deuterium is chemically identical to hydrogen, heavy water generally behaves similarly to normal water; heavy water looks, feels, and even tastes almost exactly the same as water.