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Author: Subject: aluminium foil
ionic bond
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[*] posted on 29-6-2004 at 00:45
aluminium foil


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
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bennator
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[*] posted on 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.
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[*] posted on 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.




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ionic bond
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[*] posted on 29-6-2004 at 14:58


thank you very much

:)
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