The gallium beating heart

By Declan Fleming2021-04-28T09:24:00

A photo of a metallic drop suspended in a solution and covered in bubbles

Source: © Declan Fleming

Explore redox chemistry with this safer alternative to the mercury beating heart demo

The traditional mercury beating heart demonstration (where electron transfer between mercury and iron causes the shape of a metal droplet to oscillate as its surface tension is affected by oxidation products) may put off teachers who are unable to acquire or responsibly dispose of mercury – but, happily, gallium can provide a safer substitute.

Delve into this intriguing application of a chemical to kinetic energy transfer and redox chemistry with your students with this video and downloadable technician notes.

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