Al-HgCl2 II

Al-HgCl₂ II

		Keywords optical aluminum mercury physical science redox metals oxide
	Courtesy of Dr. James P. Birk, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Arizona State University).
	Al_hg_2.jpg (160 K)
This image shows the reaction between an aluminum foil and mercury (II) chloride solution. The reduced mercury amalgamates with aluminum after the penetrating the thin native aluminum oxide layer on the surface of the foil. The white patches are due to further oxidation of the foil by atmospheric oxygen forming aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). This image was obtained using an optical microscope.