deuterium

(doo-tēr′ē-ŭm, dū-)

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[ deutero- + -ium (1)]
SYMB: 2H, D The isotope of hydrogen with an atomic weight (mass) 2. It is used in certain nuclear reactors as an absorber of neutrons. Water made from deuterium is incompatible with life if ingested exclusively because of slight differences in bond angles and distances that prevent necessary hydrogen bonding.
SYN: SEE: heavy hydrogen

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