ionic bond - 29-6-2004 at 00:45
Hi
I put aluminium foil in cup that contains mercury
after that I noticed that the there was a powder there
what is the new matter?
thanks
bennator - 29-6-2004 at 09:37
Maybe an oxide? I don't think mercury oxide would form, as it is less active than aluminum, but aluminum foil contains some aluminum oxide which
might not dissolve in the mercury. Just an idea, haven't tried it myself.
chemoleo - 29-6-2004 at 10:06
The 'new matter' is aluminium oxide, Al2O3.
This is becuase mercury forms an amalgamate with Al, and exposes unoxidised Al (which normally is protected by the Al2O3 layer). This is immediately
oxidesed, falls off, and more unoxidised Al is revealed. by then end, all you have left is Al2O3 and mercury.
Try the same thing in vacuum, and nothing will happen.
ionic bond - 29-6-2004 at 14:58
thank you very much
