Theory 09/Molecular & anomalous/Isotope effects
Heavy Water Is Slower by Zero Point
The claim
Isotope effects on water's properties scale with the ratio of zero-point energy difference to bond strength, so D₂O behaves like cold H₂O.
01Mechanism
The heavier isotope sits lower in the potential well, requiring more energy to break bonds.
02Prediction
Property shifts should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Isotope effects tracking mass alone would remove zero-point energy.