Why Is Dihydrogen Monoxide Essential in Chemistry?
So, what is dihydrogen monoxide? It is the scientific name of water but is rarely used. Technically, DHMO or dihydrogen monoxide is the right name for water. However, the other names include hydric acid, dihydrogen oxide, hydronium hydroxide and hydrogen hydroxide.
What is Dihydrogen Monoxide?
Dihydrogen monoxide is a tasteless, colourless and odourless chemical compound. The basis of which is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical which is a species that is shown to mutate DNA, disrupt cell membranes, denature proteins, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters, is referred to as Dihydrogen Monoxide or DHMO. It can also be referred to as Hydrogen Hydroxide, Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydric Acid, or Hydronium Hydroxide.
It is also one of the essential elements of acid rain which is called hydroxy acid. Dihydrogen monoxide even contributes to the greenhouse effect while accelerating the corrosion of different metals. While water appears in the form of a covalent compound, dihydrogen monoxide seems to be ionic. Hence, water and hydrogen monoxide are in no ways similar.
There are the atomic components of DHMO present in the number of poisonous, caustic, and explosive compounds which include Nitroglycerine, Sulfuric Acid, and Ethyl Alcohol.
The literal meaning of dihydrogen monoxide is two hydrogens and one oxygen. It results in a dihydrogen monoxide formula, which is H2O or OH2.
Dihydrogen Monoxide - Properties
Most important chemical properties of dihydrogen monoxide include:
Melting point: 32°F
Boiling point: 100°C
Density: 997 kg/m3
Chemical formula: OH2
Molar mass or molecular weight: 18.01528 g/mol
Structure: OH2
Physical Properties of Dihydrogen Monoxide
Appearance: colourless liquid
Odour: odourless liquid
pH: 7
surface tension: 71.99 mN/m at 250C
Dihydrogen Monoxide - Characteristics
Dihydrogen Monoxide is the chemical name for water but because of some factors which include applications of those factors, both the terms water and Dihydrogen Monoxide are different. Some of the characteristics of Dihydrogen Monoxide are listed below-
It is a major component of acid rain and is also referred to as hydroxyl acid.
It has a major contribution to the greenhouse effect.
It can cause severe burns.
It also plays a major part in the contribution to the erosion of our natural landscape.
It leads to rusting of many metals and accelerates corrosion.
It also causes electric failures and may decrease the effectiveness of the automobile brakes.
It has been observed in terminal cancer patients’ excised tumors.
Dihydrogen Monoxide - Uses
Along with the various dangers related to Dihydrogen Monoxide, there are many uses as well and some of them are listed below-
It is used in nuclear power plants
It is used as a coolant and an industrial solvent
It is used in the production of Styrofoam
In many home-brewed bombs, it is used as a major ingredient
It is used as a by-product, in furnaces and air conditioning compressor operations, of hydrocarbons
It is used as a spray-on fire retardant and suppressant.
Widely used in the form of an additive in different food products, especially junk foods. It is even used in pesticide distribution.
Dihydrogen monoxide is also used in different nuclear power units and the form of an industrial solvent and coolant.
It is used for the manufacture of polystyrene along with other varieties of packaging materials.
It is used in the propulsion systems of different old shops.
Dihydrogen monoxide finds usage in Styrofoam production and the manufacture of chemical and biological weapons.
Elite athletes use it for improving their performance while it even serves as one of the essential ingredients in the majority of the home-brewed bombs.
Dihydrogen monoxide makes the development of genetically engineered animals and crops a possibility, and it is even used in the form of spray-on fire retardants and suppressants.
The reproductive health centres or family planning clinics use dihydrogen monoxide on an extensive scale.
It is used in cultural rituals; by children playing Beyblades; by customers at bathhouses; by individuals during marches and rallies; by terrorist organizations and by software engineers involved in the production of DICOM and other software tools.
Dihydrogen monoxide is also used in the form of a by-product of the combustion of hydrogen in air conditioning compressor uses and furnaces.
The daycare centres use it for sanitary purposes.
It is used for maintaining chemical balance in the community swimming pools.
The use of dihydrogen monoxide is quite prevalent in industries involved in the dumping of toxic waste.
The compound is also used in the distribution and production of pesticides and laboratories meant for animal research.
One thing quite surprising about dihydrogen monoxide is that it is used in places and products that might be used regularly by individuals and thus might pose a real threat to the good health of the users. Among the startling uses of dihydrogen monoxide, these are the ones worth noting:
In medicines for cough and other pharmaceutical products.
In baby formulas and foods and even in different carbonated beverages, fruit juices, and soups.
In oven cleaners.
In bathtub bubble items.
In shaving creams, shampoos, and deodorants along with other bath products.
In coffee
As a preservative in grocery stores.
In beer production
In stellar and planetary research.
Dihydrogen Monoxide - Symptoms
In case of overdosage of dihydrogen monoxide, the following symptoms are observed and the person should immediately consult the doctor-
Excessive Urination
Nausea
Vomiting
Excessive Sweating
Electrolyte imbalance
Degeneration of sodium homeostasis
Hyponatremia or serum hypotonicity
Bloated feeling
Dangerously imbalance levels of ICF and ECF in the blood
Dihydrogen Monoxide - Precautions
In order to avoid the dangers due to Dihydrogen Monoxide exposure, one should keep the following precautions in mind-
Whenever a person is dealing with DHMO contaminated food or product, a proper evaluation must be done about the relative danger that might be caused and should act accordingly.
If you feel uncomfortable in a place where there is potential for the accidental ingestion or inhalation of DHMO, remove yourself from that situation.
Caution should be exercised and one should not panic in a situation like this.
Dangers Associated with the Use of Dihydrogen Monoxide
Dihydrogen monoxide appears in the form of a causative element in different deaths. It is also one of the significant contributors to the large-scale damages caused to properties and the environment. A few of the major dangers associated with the use of dihydrogen monoxide are as follows:
Serious tissue damages can be caused if an individual remains exposed to solid DHMO for a very long time.
Accidental inhalation of dihydrogen monoxide can cause death even if it is inhaled in very small amounts.
Excessive DHMO ingestion might produce several unpleasant side effects. However, these side effects are in no way life-threatening.
Dihydrogen monoxide forms one of the most important elements of acid rain.
It even contributes to the erosion of soil.
Gaseous dihydrogen monoxide causes serious burns.
Long-term exposure to solid DHMO decreases the effectiveness of vehicle brakes.
If DHMO contaminates electrical systems, it might result in short-circuits.
Dihydrogen monoxide can also result in the oxidation and corrosion of different metals.
It is found in the biopsies of precancerous lesions and tumours.
Conclusion
This is all you need to know about dihydrogen monoxide and its physical and chemical properties. Learn how this liquid is used in different aspects and how it is important for the life processes of all animals and plants.
FAQs on Dihydrogen Monoxide: Key Properties and Uses
1. Is Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) the same as water?
Yes, Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is the systematic chemical name for water. The chemical formula for both is H₂O. The term 'Dihydrogen Monoxide' is often used in a well-known scientific literacy parody to demonstrate how a lack of scientific knowledge can lead to misplaced fears, as the name sounds like a dangerous chemical to the unfamiliar.
2. Why is water (H₂O) called Dihydrogen Monoxide?
The name 'Dihydrogen Monoxide' is derived from the rules of chemical nomenclature for binary covalent compounds. The name breaks down as follows:
Di-hydrogen: 'Di-' is the prefix for 'two', indicating there are two hydrogen atoms in the molecule.
Mon-oxide: 'Mon-' (or 'mono-') is the prefix for 'one', and 'oxide' refers to oxygen. This indicates there is one oxygen atom.
Therefore, H₂O is systematically named Dihydrogen Monoxide. While chemically correct, it is almost universally referred to by its common name, water.
3. What are the key properties of Dihydrogen Monoxide (water)?
As water, Dihydrogen Monoxide has several unique and essential properties:
Physical State: It is the only common substance to exist naturally in all three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) on Earth.
Polarity: It is a polar molecule, giving it excellent solvent properties, often earning it the name 'the universal solvent'.
Boiling and Melting Points: It has an unusually high boiling point (100°C) and melting point (0°C) for its molar mass, due to strong hydrogen bonding between molecules.
Density: Its solid form (ice) is less dense than its liquid form, which is why ice floats.
Specific Heat Capacity: It has a very high specific heat capacity, allowing it to absorb a lot of heat before its temperature rises, which helps regulate climate and body temperature.
4. What are some important uses of Dihydrogen Monoxide?
Dihydrogen Monoxide (water) is fundamental to virtually every aspect of life and industry. Its major uses include:
Biological Sustenance: It is essential for all known forms of life for processes like hydration, nutrient transport, and regulating body temperature.
Domestic Use: Used for drinking, cooking, cleaning, sanitation, and recreation.
Industrial Solvent and Coolant: Widely used in chemical processes as a solvent and in power plants and manufacturing as a coolant.
Agriculture: Crucial for irrigation to grow crops.
Power Generation: Used in hydroelectric dams to generate electricity and as steam to turn turbines in thermal power plants.
5. If Dihydrogen Monoxide is just water, why is it sometimes described as dangerous?
The description of Dihydrogen Monoxide as 'dangerous' is the central point of the DHMO parody, which highlights public gullibility. However, water itself can be hazardous in certain situations:
Inhalation: Inhaling even small amounts can lead to drowning.
Excessive Consumption: Drinking excessive amounts of water in a short time can cause hyponatremia (water intoxication), a potentially fatal condition where sodium levels in the blood become dangerously diluted.
Solid State (Ice): Can cause frostbite and create slippery, hazardous surfaces.
Gaseous State (Steam): Hot steam can cause severe thermal burns.
Environmental Impact: It is a major component of acid rain and a key agent in soil erosion.
6. How does the molecular structure of Dihydrogen Monoxide (H₂O) lead to its unique properties?
The unique properties of water arise directly from its bent molecular geometry and the polarity of its bonds. The oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, creating a net dipole moment. This makes water a polar molecule. This polarity allows for strong intermolecular forces called hydrogen bonds. These bonds are responsible for its high boiling point, high specific heat, surface tension, and its ability to dissolve many other polar and ionic substances, making it a 'universal solvent'.
7. What is the difference between drinking water and deionized water?
The primary difference is the presence of mineral ions. Drinking water, or potable water, contains dissolved minerals and salts (like calcium, magnesium, and sodium) which are often beneficial for health and contribute to its taste. In contrast, deionized water (DI water) has had almost all of its mineral ions removed through processes like ion-exchange. It is a highly purified form of water used in laboratories and industrial processes where mineral deposits would cause problems. It is not recommended for drinking as it lacks essential minerals and can be corrosive.
