heavy hydrogen

American  

noun

1. either of the heavy isotopes of hydrogen, especially deuterium.

2. deuterium.

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heavy hydrogen British  

noun

1. another name for deuterium

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heavy hydrogen Scientific  

1. See deuterium

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Etymology

Origin of heavy hydrogen

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The usual fuel for producing controlled fusion in reactors consists of a mix of the heavy hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium, which may unite to make helium.

From Scientific American • Feb. 2, 2022

Here, the heavy hydrogen atoms merge together in a process called nuclear fusion to make helium, a bit like the reaction that takes place in the sun.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2019

Previous research on the region’s climate and plant chemistry has shown that lower precipitation rates correlate with higher ratios of heavy hydrogen, which the livestock would have consumed as they grazed during the drought.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 13, 2018

The bears were also injected with a harmless solution of heavy hydrogen and oxygen that allows scientists to calculate how much energy the bears are using during a certain amount of time.

From The Verge • Feb. 1, 2018

When the climate is drier, leaf waxes are more enriched with heavy hydrogen isotopes.

From Reuters • Oct. 9, 2015