Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Metal detectors, electrolytes

smuv - 23-11-2008 at 13:13

Could I get through a walk-through metal detector with 10mL of 75-85% phosphoric acid in a glass vile with plastic cap?

I did some research (I was never good at E&M) and I am not completely sure. I think that to some extent a magnetic field would be induced but it would be very delocalized because I believe the field would be contiguous throughout the solution and not concentrated to the surface (as in a metal). Therefore I think I should be OK.

My reasoning is likely atrocious though and I'd like a second opinion.

Thank you.

Twospoons - 23-11-2008 at 13:54

Short answer: yes. The conductivity of your body would far outweigh 10ml of acid.
Why would you want to try?

JohnWW - 23-11-2008 at 14:21

If anything on you sets off a walk-through metal detector unexpectedly, it would probably be as the result of things like coins or keys in your pocket, steel belt or shoe buckles, a stainless steel Parker pen, metal-containing dental work, or stainless steel or titanium surgical implants to mend broken bones or in joint replacements.

Klute - 23-11-2008 at 17:03

Do you want to high jack a plan with some H3PO4? :)

smuv - 23-11-2008 at 17:38

Quote:
Short answer: yes. The conductivity of your body would far outweigh 10ml of acid.


Wonderful simple explanation!

Just for my own edification would you mind posting the longer answer? I would like to understand this a little better.
Quote:
Do you want to high jack a plan with some H3PO4?


Actually this is the notion that I am trying to avoid! I am trying to bring a little vile of phosphoric acid home with me, and it is too late for me to ship the acid to my final destination. Therefore I think I'll just keep the vile in my back pocket when I walk through the metal detectors. If you recall, everyone is still on edge about liquid explosives and I don't want to be caught in the crossfire. Also I don't want to simply declare, 'this is phosphoric acid' when I have to show my little baggy of liquids and aerosols, because that would look very bad.

If you haven't flown in a while you might not understand this...

P.S. Anyone have a better idea?

[Edited on 11-23-2008 by smuv]

bfesser - 23-11-2008 at 18:44

Yeah, I have a better idea.

<strong>Ship it!</strong>

Unless, of course, you enjoy getting buggered... because that's what they'll do to you in prison.

smuv - 23-11-2008 at 19:19

Quote:
Ship it!


yeah...but if it doesnt get there in time I'll be so pissed...

I'll see how much it costs to airmail tomorrow...likely a few times more than its worth...

PS Is buggered vernacular in MN?

12AX7 - 24-11-2008 at 04:35

Stowed luggage y'think?

Tim

smuv - 24-11-2008 at 09:14

Nah because you are required to put all your liquids into a baggy and show that to them, if they find it on the xray that will be bad...

Oh yeah and it costs a shit-ton to stow luggage these days...even 1...

I shipped it but I don't think it'll get there in time. So I might still carry a little bit on...depends on my self destructiveness.

watson.fawkes - 24-11-2008 at 12:41

Quote:
Originally posted by smuv
I shipped it but I don't think it'll get there in time. So I might still carry a little bit on...depends on my self destructiveness.
Label it "Rust Remover". Make a label that looks like a commercial product. You shouldn't mis-label it, but that doesn't mean you can't relabel it.

Panache - 11-12-2008 at 16:17

swallow the vial

kclo4 - 11-12-2008 at 20:07

Why is it so time demanding?
it seems like you need it immediately as you get off the plane.

smuv - 11-12-2008 at 21:07

@kclo4, I was only going to be in town for a few days, and wanted to use the phosphoric acid as a catalyst for a reaction. The decision to use the phosphoric acid was spur of the moment and I did not have time to simply order the phosphoric acid and ship to my destination...so a friend graciously gave me a vile of phosphoric acid from his research lab.

I consider this question dead, I payed for expedited shipping...received the phosphoric acid in time and the rest is in the benzoic acid to aniline thread...

Thanks to everyone who responded, especially bfesser for making me re-examine how unnecessary the risk for the whole thing was (I was at the airport today, and read a sign that said the consequences for bringing a hazmat good onto an airplane go up to 5years in prison! + an enormous fine).

triggernum5 - 18-12-2008 at 16:45

Don't know when this trip is, but if its not too late, and the city has a hydroponics store, you can walk in and buy litres of 85% phosphoric acid for pretty cheap..