<ul><li>Scientists have discovered why heavy water, which contains deuterium instead of regular hydrogen, exhibits similar properties to regular water.</li><li>The study conducted by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research shows that opposing quantum effects cancel each other out, resulting in the similarities between heavy water and regular water.</li><li>One quantum effect, known as nuclear quantum effects (NQEs), causes hydrogen atoms to vibrate less and move closer to the oxygen atom, making the water molecule slightly smaller and affecting its interaction with other water molecules.</li><li>On the other hand, a second quantum effect strengthens the bond between different water molecules, almost cancelling out the weakening effect caused by NQEs.</li></ul>

Why heavy water acts so much like regular water

Discover more