heavy hydrogen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “heavy hydrogen” mean?
An isotope of hydrogen (deuterium) whose nucleus contains one neutron in addition to one proton, making it about twice as heavy as ordinary hydrogen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An isotope of hydrogen (deuterium) whose nucleus contains one neutron in addition to one proton, making it about twice as heavy as ordinary hydrogen.
1. The deuterium isotope, often denoted as D or ²H, used in scientific research and nuclear technology. 2. Informally, water made from deuterium oxide (heavy water) may sometimes be referred to in this context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and terminology are identical.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both variants.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects, appearing almost exclusively in scientific literature and education.
Grammar
How to Use “heavy hydrogen” in a Sentence
The noun 'heavy hydrogen' is typically used as a subject or object: 'Heavy hydrogen is used...', 'Scientists study heavy hydrogen.'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heavy hydrogen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The reaction can be deuterated, replacing hydrogen with heavy hydrogen.
- They sought to isolate and then heavy-hydrogenate the compound.
American English
- The process deuterates the molecule, incorporating heavy hydrogen.
- Researchers heavy-hydrogenated the sample for neutron scattering experiments.
adverb
British English
- The sample was enriched heavily-hydrogen-wise.
- The molecule reacted more slowly, heavy-hydrogen-ly speaking.
American English
- The compound was synthesized heavy-hydrogen-ly.
- The bond vibrated differently, acting heavy-hydrogen-ly.
adjective
British English
- The heavy-hydrogen nucleus was studied.
- A heavy-hydrogen isotope effect was observed.
American English
- Heavy-hydrogen atoms behave differently.
- The heavy-hydrogen content was measured.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in contexts like nuclear energy investment reports.
Academic
Common in chemistry, physics, and nuclear engineering textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heavy hydrogen”
- Confusing 'heavy hydrogen' with 'heavy water' (D₂O).
- Using it in non-scientific contexts where 'hydrogen' alone would suffice.
- Misspelling as 'heavy hidrogen'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, deuterium (heavy hydrogen) is stable and not radioactive. Tritium, a different, heavier isotope of hydrogen, is radioactive.
Yes, but it's rare. About 0.0156% of all naturally occurring hydrogen is deuterium (heavy hydrogen).
Heavy water (D₂O) is water where the hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium (heavy hydrogen) atoms. It is used as a neutron moderator in some nuclear reactors.
Its different mass causes kinetic isotope effects, allowing scientists to study reaction mechanisms. It's also a non-radioactive tracer in chemical and biological research.
An isotope of hydrogen (deuterium) whose nucleus contains one neutron in addition to one proton, making it about twice as heavy as ordinary hydrogen.
Heavy hydrogen is usually technical/scientific in register.
Heavy hydrogen: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhevi ˈhaɪdrədʒən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhevi ˈhaɪdrədʒən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Heavy' like the extra weight of a neutron. Hydrogen is light; heavy hydrogen has a neutron for extra mass.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEIGHT FOR ATOMIC MASS (The abstract concept of atomic mass is understood via the concrete, bodily experience of physical weight).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of heavy hydrogen?