Scientists identify quantum differences between light and heavy water

User rating: 4.4 / 5 after 54 vote(s)

A molecule of water: the red atom is oxygen and the gray atoms are either hydrogen (light water) or deuterium (heavy water). Physicists have investigated the underlying mechanisms for why heavy water is more structured than light water.
A molecule of water: the red atom is oxygen, and the gray atoms are either hydrogen (light water) or deuterium (heavy water). Physicists have investigated the underlying mechanisms for why heavy water is more structured than light water.
Click here to enlarge image

Scientists know that light water (H2O) and heavy water (D2O) have similar but not identical structures. Using quantum mechanics, researchers have recently identified several differences between the two water isotopes that previous research had not predicted.


Full story »
All News summaries from Physics news
All News summaries for August 26, 2008

'Enlightened' Atoms Stage Nano-Riot Against Uniformity

12 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- When atoms in a crystal are struck by laser light, their electrons, excited by the light, typically begin moving back and forth together in a regular pattern, resembling nanoscale soldiers marching in a lockstep ...

Dancing droplets

Nov 18, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Our blood, sweat and tears are three precious fluids that can answer lots of questions about the state of our health but testing small amounts of bodily fluids, without contaminating them through contact with ...

Billions of particles of anti-matter created in laboratory

Nov 17, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Take a gold sample the size of the head of a push pin, shoot a laser through it, and suddenly more than 100 billion particles of anti-matter appear.

'Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon' game provides clue to efficiency of complex networks

Nov 17, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
As the global population continues to grow exponentially, our social connections to one another remain relatively small, as if we're all protagonists in the Kevin Bacon game inspired by "Six Degrees of Separation," ...

Quantum calibration paves way for super-secure communication

Nov 17, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new approach to calibrating quantum mechanical measurement has been developed with particular applications in optics and super-secure quantum communication.
Goto Archive PhysOrg Forum Goto Archive Video Goto Archive Editorials Goto Archive Free Magazines Goto Archive Newsletter

News Archive