m1tanker78 - 21-4-2011 at 18:56
Hopefully someone can help me out with this:
I cut a piece of sodium metal, let it oxidize in air for a short time and then drop it back in the oil. After a short time, random (planar)
crystalline formations begin to appear at the fresh cut surface; never fails. They slightly resemble the patterns that are seen on hot-dip galvanized
iron, for example.
Below are a couple of pictures and a link to a short video. So how is it that these crystals form and why?
Hmm, well the video looks like shit but here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKrKFZLe8Fg
Tom
bob800 - 21-4-2011 at 19:21
I know this doesn't really answer your question, but this effect was also noted of woelen's potassium-production write-up:
http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/synthesis_K/...
If you scroll 3/4 down the page, you'll see a photo with somewhat similar effects.
mr.crow - 22-4-2011 at 09:37
Very nice, my sodium does that too. This is common with metals. Here is another example with Lead.
m1tanker78 - 22-4-2011 at 11:40
Thanks for the link mr. crow. That's exactly what I was looking for.
Tom