deuterium
nounUK /djuːˈtɪəɹɪəm/ · US /djuːˈtɪɹi.əm/
Etymology From deutero- + -ium. Coined by American physical chemist Harold Urey, from Ancient Greek δεύτερος (deúteros, “second”).
1
Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics An isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron in each atom - 21H.
- Heavy water is "heavy" because it contains deuterium.
2
An atom of this isotope.
- There were about 80 deuteriums for every million protiums, and virtually no tritium.
- Derived terms
- antideuterium, deuterium bottleneck, deuterium oxide
- Related terms
- deuteron, Deuteronomy, heavy water