The gallium beating heart

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.