Dihydrogen Monoxide

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.