Floating Mercury on Water

Abstract

IN your review of Dr. Hertz' works you mention his investigations into the question of the flotation of thin metal plates, in connection with which I may mention that I have made mercury float on water on a somewhat similar principle. A few drops of mercury, half an ounce of water, and a pinch of some red powder, red lead, red oxide or verund floating together at the centre of the water surface. The shaking was frequently repeated until a small dish consisting of a large number of mercury globules was formed, which floated on the water and at the centre of its surface. Its diameter would be about 3/8 inch, and its depth about 1/16 inch. It did not disappear if allowed to rest, and though it must have been broken up each time that the bottle was shaken, it always reformed. I am unable to say whether the mercury was pure or not, or whether an acid, alkali, or salt had been added to the water, for this little experiment was made many years ago.