Aluminum and Mercury

When mercury is added to aluminum, it forms an amalgam (a mercury alloy). Aluminum is normally protected by a thick oxide layer, but the formation of the amalgam disrupts it. It allows fresh aluminum to react with air to form white aluminum oxide. As the oxide grows, it forms as these cool white fibers.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Why You Can't Bring Mercury on a Plane
00:20 - Setting Up The Reaction
01:49 - Run 1: It Looks Alive!
04:21 - It Still Grows...
05:15 - Run 2: It Looks Different Every Time
06:38 - Inspecting The Aluminum
07:06 - Practical Uses For This Reaction

[yepezoj]

I have a PhD in chemistry and +30 years of lab experience. I am having fun watching things I would have never though to do. This video particularly demonstrates a problem called amalgam corrosion. This is a nightmare for service facilities. Thank you!

[aratanaenor]

Things I learned today: Do not use an aluminum boat to cross a lake of mercury.

[katemichelle]

“Anyway, when I poke at it....” Spoken like a true scientist.

[practicalduck]

I finished my chem class, and now I actually understand what's happening and the reactions that take place. Its nice to re-watch your videos when I understand what's happening : )

[chevyrupleix]

Welcome to another episode of: _I don't understand anything but this is cool._

[Rafael-nqob]

“then i quickly add some mercury and...”

*spawns lovecraftian creature in his lab*

[bobograndman]

I like how he just casually drops "this process is also used in the production of MDMA" at the end there

[LittlestHoboKatie]

I think its really cool that you are this generations 'science guy'... I only found you recently but you have a certain effortless way of teaching and your curiosity makes it all the better. Well done and keep going!

[tired]

image being a medieval alchemist and accidentally dropping some mercury on an aluminum piece only to see a fibrous ghost thing literally rising up from nothing while you eat your daily single piece of stale bread . I’d start to believe in magic too.

[commiellama]

Today I learned that besides being toxic and liquid at room temperature, the properties of mercury also include being "super annoying"

[alkyr]

1:22
"So I took out all the mercury"
That one drop: "SEE YA"

[petercozzaglio]

I bet Nile’s parents are really proud of him and his efforts. If he was my son, I certainly would be.

[BHN]

Step 1: Cover your bald head in aluminum

Step 2: Pour Mercury over it

Step 3: H A I R

[iunderstoodthatreference]

“Because Mercury is super annoying.”
“So it kind of does nothing.”
Priceless😂

[theEddzilla]

“Anyway, when I poke at it”

Glad to see the scientific method alive and thriving.

[FunnyFungus]

me watching this half asleep: "i like your funny words magic man"

[rosiek]

imagine showing this chemical reaction to a medieval peasant

[shelleydean]

Students: This is how chemistry should be taught in class.
Also students : didn't understand a single thing.

[MattressGuy]

This is nightmare fuel, this is the coolest and creepiest amalgamation I've ever seen.

[caitlyn]

I’ve watched this and other NileRed videos so many times, and it never gets boring