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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: wetfoot on May 04, 2008, 09:56:34 AM

Title: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: wetfoot on May 04, 2008, 09:56:34 AM: Hi all! ;D

New to the forums, just have two questions I hope you guys can help me with...

Wanted to know what is the heaviest non-toxic (or not to dangerous) pump-able liquid?

Also was interested to know what the weight difference was between mercury and lead?
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: Borek on May 04, 2008, 11:01:32 AM: Quote from: wetfoot on May 04, 2008, 09:56:34 AM
Wanted to know what is the heaviest non-toxic (or not to dangerous) pump-able liquid?

Also was interested to know what the weight difference was between mercury and lead?

Remember: library first, wiki/google second, ask on forums third!

At least answer to your second question requires just consulting any general chemistry book, or encyclopedia, or wikipedia, or even clicking on the periodic table link in the left menu. Doesn't sound too hard.
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: wetfoot on May 04, 2008, 06:14:23 PM: Wanted to know what is the heaviest non-toxic (or not to dangerous) pump-able liquid?
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: macman104 on May 04, 2008, 06:45:05 PM: Quote from: wetfoot on May 04, 2008, 06:14:23 PM
Wanted to know what is the heaviest non-toxic (or not to dangerous) pump-able liquid?
Do you have an application in mind that might help someone answer your question better?
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: nj_bartel on May 04, 2008, 09:55:37 PM: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/mats05/mats05085.htm
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: shelanachium on May 05, 2008, 08:02:48 AM: If looking for vacuum-pump applications, Gallium (density about 6). Low toxicity, and though its melting-point is above room temperature, 29.8 degrees, it supercools easily and remains liquid at much lower temperatures unless 'seeded' with solid Gallium. Very high boiling point, so vapour-pressure negligible to several hundred degrees (unlike highly toxic Hg).
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: wetfoot on May 07, 2008, 01:42:38 PM: Thanks for the replies!

We have an application for this but there are rules, nothing heavier than lead and nothing perceived as too toxic with respect to contamination of the sea (In a closed system, so theoretically it shouldn't leak).

Mercury would be ideal apart from its obvious toxicity.

General working temperature 4-15 degrees c.

Nothing more expensive than mercury (within reason).

Up to about 750kilos required.

Any advice would be appreciated.. Cheers ;D
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: Borek on May 07, 2008, 04:19:06 PM: Have you tried googling for "heavy liquids"?
Title: Re: what is the heaviest non-toxic (or almost) liquid
Post by: wetfoot on May 11, 2008, 03:56:45 PM: Quote from: Borek on May 07, 2008, 04:19:06 PM
Have you tried googling for "heavy liquids"?

Yes.. It did not help as my knowledge of chemistry isn't that great.

I am just not good at chemistry.. I though some 'nice' person here might have had some ideas off the top of their head seeing as I'm sure it is not that uncommon topic in chemistry..