Which is the Purest Substance: Rain Water or Heavy Water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the comparison of purity between rain water and heavy water, exploring the definitions and implications of what constitutes a "pure substance." The scope includes conceptual clarification and technical reasoning regarding the nature of both types of water.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the definitions of "pure substance," "rain water," and "heavy water," suggesting that ambiguity in these terms may render the question meaningless.
  • It is noted that rain water contains various compounds, such as NOx's and CO2, which can affect its purity.
  • Heavy water (D2O) is discussed in terms of its potential contamination with normal hydrogen and other substances, indicating that its purity is not solely defined by its chemical formula.
  • Participants highlight that the context of rain water, such as its source and environmental factors, can significantly influence its level of contamination.
  • There is a suggestion that comparing the purity of rain water and heavy water is problematic without clear definitions and understanding of their respective compositions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the question lacks clarity due to ambiguous definitions and varying contexts, leading to multiple competing views on the purity of rain water versus heavy water.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on definitions of purity, the variability of contamination based on environmental factors, and the lack of specific information regarding the sources of both rain water and heavy water.

qazi75
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Which one is the most pure substance?Rain water or Heavy water
 
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Explain what you mean by:

1. Pure substance.
2. Rain water.
3. Heavy water.

Depending on the definitions and/or sources there is enough ambiguity in the question to make it meaningless.
 
Rain contains other compunds, including (but not limited to) NOx's and CO2.
Heavy water contains D instead of H...

If by pure substance you mean H2O, then both can be impure dependent upon the amounts of D or Co2 etc in solution.
 
I mean in comparison of heavy water and rain water,which one is most pure.
 
Seems like you still don't understand why the question doesn't make much sense.

Heavy water is D2O, but its purity is not something defined by the name. It can contain more or less of the normal hydrogen, it can be - depending on the source - contaminated with other things.

Stating "rain water" doesn't tell much about contamination. When the rain starts to fall after several weeks in the large city full of heavy industry it is much more contaminated than the rain falling for long in a place far from the sources of contamination (industry, volcanoes, deserts being source of dust and so on).

Basically you are trying to compare things not knowing what they are. It won't work.
 

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