LITHIUM DEUTERIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Lithium deuteride, commonly known as LiD, is a chemical compound composed of lithium and deuterium. It is an inorganic compound that is primarily used as a neutron moderator and as a source of deuterium in nuclear reactions.
LiD has a molecular formula of LiD and a molar mass of approximately 7.881 grams per mole. It is a white, crystalline solid with a tetragonal crystal structure. It is stable at room temperature but decomposes at higher temperatures.
One of the key applications of lithium deuteride is its use in nuclear reactors. Due to its excellent heat transfer properties and ability to slow down neutrons, it is widely employed as a neutron moderator. This means it helps to slow down fast-moving neutrons and increase their chances of colliding with other atoms, facilitating nuclear reactions. Additionally, lithium deuteride is used as a source of deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen, which is commonly used in fusion reactions.
Furthermore, LiD is also used in the production of tritium, another hydrogen isotope commonly used in the production of nuclear weapons and in various research applications. It acts as a source of deuterium, which can later be converted into tritium through a process known as isotopic exchange.
Overall, lithium deuteride plays a vital role in the field of nuclear science and is essential for various applications such as nuclear reactors, fusion reactions, and tritium production.
Etymology of LITHIUM DEUTERIDE
The word "lithium" comes from the Greek word "lithos", meaning "stone", as lithium is commonly found in mineral form. "Deuteride" is derived from the word "deuterium", which refers to an isotope of hydrogen that contains one neutron in addition to the usual proton. In chemistry, the suffix "-ide" is typically added to the name of an element to indicate that it has gained an extra electron or undergone some form of reduction. Therefore, "lithium deuteride" refers to a compound consisting of lithium and deuterium.
