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Aluminum and Mercury

Aluminum and Mercury

by | Sep 4, 2017 | Gr 9-10 Science, Gr. 11-12 Chemistry

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,...
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