Definition of deuterium in English:
deuterium
noun djuːˈtɪərɪəmˌdjuˈtɪriəm
mass nounChemistry A stable isotope of hydrogen with a mass approximately twice that of the usual isotope.
Deuterium atoms have a neutron as well as a proton in the nucleus, and the isotope is present to about 1 part in 6,000 in naturally occurring hydrogen. It is used as a fuel in thermonuclear bombs, and heavy water (D₂O) is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors
Example sentencesExamples
- We know that for a fact because we've measured the isotope ratio of deuterium and hydrogen.
- The most easily attained fusion reaction involves fusing nuclei of the two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium, to make nuclei of helium.
- The basic principles are relatively simple to lay out: a high energy laser is used to heat and compress a small amount of deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen.
- If necessary, stocks of deuterium, tritium, hydrogen, and helium were supplied from on-board stores.
- Although many nuclei can be fused, this subject normally refers to fusion of hydrogen isotopes deuterium or tritium to form helium.
Origin
1930s: modern Latin, from Greek deuteros 'second'.
Definition of deuterium in US English:
deuterium
nounˌdyo͞oˈtirēəmˌdjuˈtɪriəm
Chemistry A stable isotope of hydrogen with a mass approximately twice that of the usual isotope.
Deuterium atoms have a neutron as well as a proton in the nucleus, and the isotope is present to about 1 part in 6,000 in naturally occurring hydrogen. It is used as a fuel in thermonuclear bombs, and heavy water (D₂O) is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors
Example sentencesExamples
- The most easily attained fusion reaction involves fusing nuclei of the two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium, to make nuclei of helium.
- The basic principles are relatively simple to lay out: a high energy laser is used to heat and compress a small amount of deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen.
- Although many nuclei can be fused, this subject normally refers to fusion of hydrogen isotopes deuterium or tritium to form helium.
- We know that for a fact because we've measured the isotope ratio of deuterium and hydrogen.
- If necessary, stocks of deuterium, tritium, hydrogen, and helium were supplied from on-board stores.
Origin
1930s: modern Latin, from Greek deuteros ‘second’.