Deuterium vs. Hydrogen — What's the Difference?

A stable hydrogen isotope with one neutron.

The lightest and most abundant chemical element.

Forms "heavy water" used in nuclear reactors.

Used as a clean fuel in fuel cells and rockets.

Slightly slower chemical reactions than hydrogen.

Reacts with oxygen to produce water.

Used in scientific research as a tracer.

Essential in various industrial processes like ammonia production.

Natural occurrence in ocean water.

Exists primarily in molecular form (H2) under normal conditions.

Deuterium (or hydrogen-2, symbol 2H or D, also known as heavy hydrogen) is one of two stable isotopes of hydrogen (the other being protium, or hydrogen-1). The nucleus of a deuterium atom, called a deuteron, contains one proton and one neutron, whereas the far more common protium has no neutrons in the nucleus.

Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element in the periodic table.

A naturally occurring isotope of hydrogen, H-2, having one proton and one neutron in the nucleus.

A colorless, highly flammable element, that occurs as a diatomic molecule, H2, the lightest of all gases and the most abundant element in the universe, used in the production of synthetic ammonia and methanol, in petroleum refining, in the hydrogenation of organic materials, as a reducing atmosphere, in oxyhydrogen torches, in cryogenic research, and in rocket fuels. Atomic number 1; atomic weight 1.00794; melting point -259.1°C; boiling point -252.8°C; density at 0°C 0.08988 gram per liter; valence 1. See Periodic Table.

(isotope) An isotope of hydrogen formed of one proton and one neutron in each atom - H.

The lightest chemical element (symbol H), with an atomic number of 1 and atomic weight of 1.00794. Category:en:Hydrogen

An atom of this isotope.

An atom of the element.

An isotope of hydrogen which has one neutron (as opposed to zero neutrons in hydrogen)

Molecular hydrogen (H2), a colourless, odourless and flammable gas at room temperature.

A molecule of this molecular species

A sample of the element/molecule.

A gaseous element, colorless, tasteless, and odorless, the lightest known substance, being fourteen and a half times lighter than air (hence its use in filling balloons), and over eleven thousand times lighter than water. It is very abundant, being an ingredient of water and of many other substances, especially those of animal or vegetable origin. It may by produced in many ways, but is chiefly obtained by the action of acids (as sulphuric) on metals, as zinc, iron, etc. It is very inflammable, and is an ingredient of coal gas and water gas. It is standard of chemical equivalents or combining weights, and also of valence, being the typical monad. Symbol H. Atomic weight 1.

A nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

Yes, hydrogen is considered a potential primary energy source, especially in fuel cells that convert chemical energy directly into electricity.

Deuterium is extracted from natural water sources through processes like fractional distillation and electrolysis.

When used in fuel cells, hydrogen produces no emissions other than water vapor, making it environmentally friendly; however, its production from fossil fuels can be carbon-intensive.

Deuterium is used in nuclear reactors because it is an effective moderator of neutrons, allowing sustained nuclear reactions.

Besides deuterium, tritium is another hydrogen isotope, but it is radioactive and much less stable.

Due to its rarity and the cost of extraction, deuterium's use is generally limited to specific scientific and industrial applications.

Hydrogen is stored under high pressure as a gas or liquefied at low temperatures to be used as a fuel.

Heavy water is not radioactive or particularly harmful to humans in small amounts, but it can pose health risks if consumed in large quantities instead of normal water.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, crucial for star formation, while deuterium provides insights into cosmological theories and processes.

Deuterium is used in pharmaceutical research to study drug metabolism and mechanism of action through labeling.

Both are stable, but the presence of a neutron makes deuterium slightly less reactive than hydrogen.

Deuterium is not practical for use in traditional combustion engines due to its properties and the specific conditions required for its combustion.

The additional neutron in deuterium increases its atomic mass, affecting its physical properties like boiling and melting points but not altering its chemical properties significantly.

Hydrogen has significant potential in renewable energy as a storage medium for excess energy produced from wind, solar, and other renewable sources.

The boiling point of deuterium is slightly higher than that of hydrogen due to the increased intermolecular forces caused by the additional neutron.