Which one of the following is heavy water used in nuclear reactor ........

Science and Technology (Easy) Nuclear related Issues

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Which one of the following is heavy water used in nuclear reactor?

Water having molecular weight 18 u

Water having molecular weight 20 u

Water at 4°C but having molecular weight 19 u

Water below the ice in a frozen sea

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Explanation:

Heavy water (D₂O) is used in nuclear reactor as a moderator. The deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen. Its atomic mass is 2. Hence its molecular weight is 20u (2 + 18). Heavy water is used in certain types of nuclear reactors, where it acts as a neutron moderator to slow down neutrons so that they are more likely to react with the fissile uranium-235 than with uranium-238, which captures neutrons without fissioning. The CANDU reactor uses this design. The main reason why heavy water is used as a moderator is because it captures less neutrons than the normal water. Hence it can be used for the fuel which is not too enriched in U-235 (the fissile material). Ordinary water is also used in nuclear reactors. Hence option 2nd is correct.