Re: Atomic Weight of "Tritiated Water"

[mirolies@nbnet.nb.ca (Miroslav Lieskovsk\})]

>When we speak of "tritiated water", to what are we referring, T2O or HTO?
>This makes a difference when we want to speak of its molecular weight.  T2O
>has a MW of 22 (3X2 + 16).  HTO has a MW of 20 (3x1 + 1X1 + 16).  This is a
>difference of some 10%, which may be significant.
>**********************************************************************
>William G. Nabor
>University of California, Irvine
>EH&S Office
>Irvine, CA,  92717-2725
>WGNABOR@UCI.EDU
>**********************************************************************

... and then one can deal only with DTO, which is right in the middle...
just kidding *^).  

The difference (an advantage) is utilized for example during separation of
light and heavy water.  

However, no distinction is made for radiological reasons, i.e., T2O, HTO or
DTO are for the body equivalent (per unit activity).

Regards,    
  Miroslav

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  Miroslav Lieskovsky                  Health Physics Department
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  PS. Opinions expressed are mine only and standard disclaimers
      apply...