Gallium melts in your hand

Pieces of gallium
PIRA: 
4C20.61
Area: 
4 Thermodynamics
Topic: 
4C Change of State
Concept: 
Phase Changes - Liquid to Solid

 

Body heat can melt gallium! This is not as dramatic as it may sound. The solid metal does not instantly become liquid in your palm (a la mercury). Holding the container in your hand for several minutes will start to liquify the gallium at the edges. Think along the lines of a solid candle being liquid near the flame. But it's still neat to show a person melting metal!

 

Demo Contact

Scott Thomas
Demonstration Manager
828-262-2435
thomassa@appstate.edu