Mercury … THE LIQUID METAL (Sep, 1944)
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Sep, 1944
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Mercury … THE LIQUID METAL
Important Alike to Science, Medicine, and Industry, This Fluid Element Is So Heavy That Iron Floats in It
By KENNETH M. SWEZEY
MERCURY, the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures, solidifying at its freezing point of —39 deg. C, is one of the most fascinating elements. Because of its wide distribution and the simplicity of its metallurgy, it was known to the ancients. It was the principal substance the alchemists believed could be changed into gold and silver. Since then it has found wide use in medicine and in the arts.
Both the common term “quicksilver” and the Latin chemical name hydrargyrum, “water of silver,” eloquently describe the elusive liquid metal that does not wet glass and that is so heavy that iron nuts, bolts, and washers float in it like corks. Because of its weight, mercury is an ideal liquid for barometers and suction pumps. Its high boiling point (357 deg. C.) and even thermal expansion make it a fine fluid for thermometers. Although mercury actually can be changed into gold now by the miracle of atom smashing, the transmutation will never make anyone rich, for the cost far exceeds the value of the final product.
Most mercury is obtained from cinnabar, a naturally occurring red sulphide (HgS), by roasting in air to vaporize and then condense the mercury. This may be demonstrated by mounting a 1″ by 10″ or 12″ hard-glass tube as shown in the photo on the facing page. Place powdered cinnabar or mercuric sulphide in the center, and keep it in place with a loose plug of asbestos or glass wool on each side.Connect one end of the tube to an outlet tube in the stopper of a gallon bottle that is also connected to a water supply. Plug the other end with a stopper fitted with a bent glass tube. Insert this bent tube in a tumbler of water containing several drops of sulphuric acid and enough potassium permanganate to color it a pale violet.
After making sure all connections are tight, heat the center of the tube strongly. Then allow a small stream of water to run into the bottle. This forces a slow current of air through the roasting tube, causing the generated gases to bubble up in the tumbler. The solution will lose color slowly, revealing that one of the decomposition products of heated mercuric sulphide is sulphur dioxide. The other, metallic mercury, condenses in tiny globules in the cooler parts of the roasting tube.
Metallic mercury is not poisonous, but its vapor is quite poisonous. Mercury therefore should never be heated in an open vessel. All soluble mercury salts are also poisonous, and they should be handled with care. Keep them away from your mouth and food, clean up immediately any you spill, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling them.
Familiar compounds are insoluble mer-curous chloride, or calomel—used largely as a purgative—and its deadly companion, mercuric chloride, better known as corrosive sublimate or bichloride of mercury. Despite its potential deadliness, mercuric chloride is also a powerful antiseptic. Because light can decompose calomel into dangerous corrosive sublimate, this medicine is kept in dark bottles.
The white of an egg, mixed with a little water and administered quickly, is one of the best first-aid antidotes for mercury poisoning. Mercury salts precipitate albumin, forming a bland, insoluble substance that takes the remaining salt “out of circulation.” To demonstrate the reaction in a test tube, pour diluted egg white into a solution of mercuric chloride or nitrate. A hard, insoluble precipitate will form and remove the mercury from solution.
Mercury has the strange property of uniting directly with most metals and a number of other elements to form compounds and alloys. Grind metallic mercury with powdered sulphur, and the substances unite as black mercuric sulphide. Iodine crystals ground with mercury produce red mercuric iodide.
An alloy of mercury and another metal is called an “amalgam.” The “silver penny” that boys make by rubbing mercury on a clean copper cent is the result of amalgamation. Zinc rods of wet primary batteries are coated with mercury to provide an alloy surface that acts as if it were pure zinc. Plastic amalgams of mercury and silver or gold are used as dental fillings, their plasticity controlled by the amount of mercury. Surfaces of metal objects may be amalgamated with mercury also by dipping them into a solution of a mercury salt.
Because mercury will unite directly with every ordinary metal but iron and platinum, those working with it must be careful not to let it touch their gold or silver rings or other jewelry. If a metal article can be heated safely, however, the mercury can be driven off by heating it carefully over a medium-low flame.
One of the most spectacular salts of mercury is mercuric thiocyanate. Pellets of this salt are known as “Pharaoh’s serpents.” Lighted at the tip, they produce a voluminous ash that curls grotesquely like a live snake. You can make mercuric thiocyanate by slowly pouring a strong solution of potassium thiocyanate into a solution of mercuric chloride until the formation of a white precipitate stops. A few drops of a solution of iron chloride in the original mercuric chloride solution will show the completed reaction better. Stir this mixture constantly while adding the potassium thiocyanate, and stop pouring when it turns a stable pinkish
hue. The white precipitate that settles to the bottom should be washed by de-cantation. Pour off the clear upper solution, add fresh water, shake, allow it to settle, and again pour off. Repeat these steps several times. The remaining precipitate is spread on glass to dry without heat. Work the dry powder into a stiff paste by adding a little water containing a few drops of mucilage and a few grains of potassium nitrate. Then mold the paste into little conical pellets and let them dry thoroughly.
liquid metals are available do red liquid metals exist ? (red liquid mercury)
Comment by kaya tanko — October 29, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
please give me details of red liquid mercury
Comment by kaya tanko — October 29, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
what is red liquid mercury
Comment by kml — April 8, 2008 @ 5:59 am
In my country Kenya,red liquid mercury is available but protected heavely by our cousin creatures,the Jinn (Muslims) or demons (others). To be able to get it, you must be approved by these creatures and sacrifice either fellow humans or any other animals. I know someone with four kilos of the metal.What beats me is its uses and who uses it. ALSO THE PRICE PER GRAMME.! YOU WHAT IT, GIVE ME AN OFFER!
Comment by hemed bakari — April 9, 2008 @ 9:28 am
after boiling point what we seen about resistance of heated mercury
Comment by htookyaw — July 19, 2008 @ 6:37 am
Hiy,i want to know where and how can i sell my red mercury?
Comment by Daniel — August 13, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Daniel, with $4/gal. gas you’ll have trouble unloading that gas guzzler unless it’s a restored classic.
Comment by jayessell — August 13, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
(1) Please load me with details of Liquid red Mercury. (2)How else can you precipitate mercury metal from a solution of mercury(11)Chloride at commercial level apart from using raw egg white? (3) I will be grateful to get linked to the 6th commenter who has some mercury to sell.
Comment by Edward DaSilva — September 27, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
I would like to know about the following, Red liquid mercury, Gold and Uranium do they have market? if so give me their price regarding each item mentioned.
Comment by zephania mugisha biindu — October 3, 2008 @ 11:19 am
I have a burning rash on my butt. What should I do?
Comment by Habib — October 5, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
I have red and white liquid mercury for sale with export docs and lab certificates. Any takers?
Comment by Mansoor — October 10, 2008 @ 5:22 am
will u plz tell me what will be the effect on the person who eats mercury
Comment by Rajkishore Verma — November 13, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Can somebody please tell me how to ‘grind’ mercury.
I wish to make mercuric sulphide by this or any method starting with liquid mercury and powdered sulphur.
All help greatly appreciated
Comment by Fast&Bulbous — November 28, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
Hi? I need Russian Origin Red Liquid Mercury, Anyone can sell, please give me quotation and detail.
Comment by James — December 3, 2008 @ 9:49 am
To Mansoor,
Where u from and how can I get in contact with u? I need specs & lab results on mercury.
Comment by Drive — December 6, 2008 @ 9:10 am
You can contact me on mansoor@sightfull.com
Comment by To Drive — December 7, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Hello, I would like to get intouch with any one who can buy my white silver mercury at a reasonable price. I can supply what is enough. Secondly, I really want to uderstand a clear procedure of changing white silver liquid mercury to look either red or pale violate red. Your anticipated concern shall highly be appreciated. James From Uganda East Africa.
Comment by Sonko james — January 24, 2009 @ 5:52 am
what if i had some, and wanted to get rid of it. how much is it worth? white sliver
Comment by lisa nicholson — March 8, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
I am looking for any one to sell me some Mercury Liquid Metal please send me prizes at ramirezfamily@commspeed.net Thank you.
Comment by David Ramirez — April 23, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
I dont know how much it is worth but we can find out,drop a message so you can make some $
Comment by David Ramirez — April 23, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
To those looking for Red Mercury, read this:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/.....arabia.htm
In summary;
It doesn’t exist.
You are not contributing to the advancement of your region.
Comment by jayessell — April 24, 2009 @ 7:13 am
I have the white mercury but I dont know where to the market is
Comment by Ben — May 7, 2009 @ 9:40 am
I have several kilos of distilled Mercury, manufacture by Jonson Matthis.
any interest by anyone?
Comment by Elie Katz — May 9, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
i want to buy red mercury anybody who has should contact me. aretpepe4real@yahoo.com or +2347036088668
Comment by Muhammed — June 15, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Hey Muhammed, if you let me sell you the Brooklyn Bridge I’ll throw in the Red Mercury for free!
Comment by Firebrand38 — June 15, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Is there any ways to color mercury into red????if any1 knows????? I have seen red liquid kinda mettalic substance which they claimed to be red mercury and they use it for summoning demons. I just wanna know of any procedure to color mercury.
Comment by trio — July 5, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
“summoning demons”? Whew, for a minute there I thought it was for a stupid reason.
That’s what’s wrong nowadays. Someone using the technical wonder of the Internet to discuss summoning demons.
Comment by Firebrand38 — July 5, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
I have mercury for sell, anyone knows where to get rid of it.
Comment by cathy — July 6, 2009 @ 10:32 am
hey cathy , what kind of mercury ?? is it white or red?|
Comment by mohammed — July 12, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Stupid is as stupid does…..
Comment by Firebrand38 — July 12, 2009 @ 11:31 am
hey cathy if it red mecury contact me i will buy. aretpepe4real@yahoo.com or +2347036088668
Comment by Muhammed — July 12, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
Country code 234 is Nigeria. He’ll probably send a cheque for $5000 more than the asking price, and want your to send the overage back via a wire transfer. And fax your passport while you’re at it.
Comment by Toronto — July 12, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
pls i need red mercury…im willing to buy at a reasonable price but not going to pay until its tasted to be original and not a fake…. my email add is… tha_illiest@yahoo.com…add me to yahoo messenger cus i do not check my mails but always online…send me a friend request only if u have original red mercury for sale…thanx
Comment by stephen — July 16, 2009 @ 3:22 am
pls i need red mercurys…i would buy for a reasonable price only if allowed to test its authencity b4 i pay for it…add me to your yahoo messenger… tha_illiest@yahoo.com… if i wont be allowed to test its originality then dont bother wasting my time n yours…contact me now pls.
Comment by stephen — July 16, 2009 @ 3:27 am
pls i need purple aluminum… im willing to buy at a reasonable price but not going to pay until its tasted to be original and not a fake…. my email add is… jsl151850b@gmail.com…a i do not check my mails …send me a friend request only if u have original purple aluminum for sale…ktksbi.
Comment by jayessell — July 16, 2009 @ 7:26 am
pls i need magenta lead…i would buy for a reasonable price only if allowed to test its authencity b4 i pay for it…if i wont be allowed to test its originality then dont bother wasting my time n yours…contact me now pls.
Comment by Firebrand38 — July 16, 2009 @ 11:14 am
I’m still looking for some gold-coloured gold, personally. It works against voodoo surprisingly well.
Comment by Toronto — July 16, 2009 @ 11:44 am
you there, muhammed, i have red mercury! no tasting required! you will need only your eyesight! and of course i will need the soul of your first born child… plz contact me at 666
Comment by andy — July 20, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
andy…
How much is that in goats?
Comment by jayessell — July 20, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
hey I have red and white/silver mercury for sale, serious buyers only! contact me on tabiri73@yahoo.co.uk.
Comment by kobby — August 13, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
i have a buyer of red mercury in kenya and the price is quiet good.anybody who has red mercury to sell can contact me on 0727358398 or 0738469024.we can arrange a meeting place and discuss he way forward to the buyer.you wont regret the price.
Comment by Eric kayanda — August 19, 2009 @ 11:04 am
I have a Container made in california in 1900 for Mercury. It is full of Mercury which is the original contents. It is 3″ tall and 1 1/2″ wide two tones of brown. I am looking to sell?
Comment by George Jackson — August 22, 2009 @ 11:52 am
hi evry body my name is ahmad al rifai am from lebanon i have entered your web cause i have 2 grams of red mercury that one is used in chemical bombs so i want 12 million dollars if any one is interrested call me att 00961-70351149
Comment by ahmad al rifai — September 17, 2009 @ 5:57 am
Here’s a photograph of ahmad al rifai am:
http://z.about.com/d/animatedtv/1/0/G/B/drnick.jpg
Comment by jayessell — September 17, 2009 @ 7:31 am
Am looking for buyers of liquid urenium. please give me your offer price.
Comment by Brian Dimuna — September 28, 2009 @ 9:06 am
need to buy red mercury, we are serouis and we pay in cash to anywhere, for serouis sellers only, please no need for unusfull offers
Comment by Miro — September 30, 2009 @ 8:36 am
No red mercury; how about a wife swap: http://blog.modernmechanix.com.....happiness/ Or something from the Mayan Order: http://blog.modernmechanix.com.....tammering/ No need to thank me . . . .
Comment by Don — September 30, 2009 @ 10:30 am
Here is red Mercury for sale, with photos of the red Mercury.
Comment by Randy — September 30, 2009 @ 11:58 am
I have 50 lbs. of mercury for sale. Make offer at michaelsspot@hotmail.com. Need $$$’s now!
Comment by Michael — October 14, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Michael, if it’s not RED mercury, no one is interested!
Comment by Don — October 14, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
I am finding it very hard to buy mercury.
If you know where I can get some please email me the price and who to contact.
I need at least 8 pounds.
Thank you.
Billy
Comment by Billy Hendrix — October 18, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
Billy – that’s only about a cup of Hg. You could probably save money by buying a half litre bottle.
Comment by Toronto — October 18, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Billy Hendrix: Here, bother this guy. http://cgi.ebay.com/Liquid-Mer.....33569e25af
Comment by Firebrand38 — October 18, 2009 @ 11:51 pm