The key difference between dihydrogen monoxide and water is that the dihydrogen monoxide or DHMO is H2O that can exist in all three phases of matter while water is the term that we use to name the liquid state of H2O.
Dihydrogen monoxide is H2O, which has two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to a single oxygen atom. It is a constituent of many known toxic substances, diseases, and disease-causing agents and can be harmful to us. Water is a liquid that is essential for life on earth. It also has the chemical formula H2O. Therefore, they are more or less the same chemical compound, but the applications of these two terms are different from each other.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Dihydrogen Monoxide
3. What is Water
4. Side by Side Comparison – Dihydrogen Monoxide vs Water in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Dihydrogen Monoxide?
Dihydrogen monoxide or DHMO is a colorless and odorless chemical compound that has the chemical formula H2O. Therefore, it is the chemical name for water. However, the two terms water and DHMO are different from each other due to some factors including the application of these factors. DHMO can occur in solid, liquid or gaseous state.
Figure 01: A Diagram Showing the Atoms in DHMO
Moreover, this compound can be hazardous to us, unlike water. The chemical basis of this compound is highly reactive hydroxyl radical. This radical can mutate DNA, denture proteins, disrupt cell membranes, etc. In addition to that, there are uses of this compound as well. For example, it acts as an industrial solvent, as a coolant, in nuclear power plants, as a fire retardant, etc.
What is Water?
Water is a colorless and odorless liquid that has the chemical formula H2O and is important for life on earth. Each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms connected to one oxygen atom via covalent chemical bonding.
Figure 02: Water is the Liquid State of H2O
We use the term water to name only the liquid state of H2O. In its gaseous state, we name it as steam, and in its solid state, we call it as ice. This liquid can be toxic due to excessive water intake. However, this is a very important for drinking, washing, as a scientific standard, as a solvent, for agricultural purposes, etc.
What is the Difference Between Dihydrogen Monoxide and Water?
Dihydrogen monoxide or DHMO is a colorless and odorless chemical compound which has the chemical formula H2O whereas the water is a colorless and odorless liquid which has the chemical formula H2O and is important for life on earth. Although both terms name the same chemical compound, they refer to different definitions due to different physical properties. For example, DHMO can exist in all three phases of matter while water is the term that we use to name the liquid state of H2O. This is the key difference between dihydrogen monoxide and water. Moreover, another very important difference between dihydrogen monoxide and water is that the dihydrogen monoxide can be lethal to human whereas we cannot live without water.
The below infographic presents the difference between dihydrogen monoxide and water in tabular form.
Summary – Dihydrogen Monoxide vs Water
Both terms dihydrogen monoxide and water refer to the same chemical compound. However, there are differences between the two due to the difference in the application of the term. The key difference between dihydrogen monoxide and water is that dihydrogen monoxide is H2O that can exist in all three phases of matter while water is the term that we use to name the liquid state of H2O.
Reference:
1. “Dihydrogen Monoxide FAQ.” Dihydrogen Monoxide – DHMO.org. Available here
2. “Water.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Sept. 2018. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.”Water molecule (1)”By Booyabazooka (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.”989959″ by Aleksandr Slobodianyk (Public Domain) via pexels