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Re: Unknown Apparatus (mercury)

PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu writes:
Zinc powder is good for mopping up the smallest
droplets.


I'd read sulfur for that use.

bc

Sulfur will coat the Hg droplets and reduce the vapor pressure a bit. But
the Hg is still in the elemental form and if the sulfur dust coating
breaks then you are pretty much back where you started.

Zinc on the other hand, will amalgamate with the Hg and drop the vapor
pressure to virtually zero. Only heating to a fairly high temperature
will release the Hg. ( not too likely during clean up)

So - my vote is still with the Zinc Powder.

PL

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