Formation and Decomposition of Sodium Amalgam

Problem Alloys are produced because they have different properties than the original metals. One can produce steel with certain properties according to the individual wishes of the metal usage. As an example, let us look at the formation of sodium amalgam from its elements sodium is silver-colored and soft. Mercury 

Material 200 ml beaker, test tube, pipette, glass rod, tweezers, knife sodium, mercury, universal indicator paper. 

Procedure Carefully place a drop of mercury into a test tube using the pipette. Place the test tube in a beaker to prevent any spillage. Freshly cut a pea-sized piece of sodium, place in the test tube and press into the mercury drop using the glass rod. Place the resulting sample of solid matter in the beaker and break with the tweezers. Add several ml of water and test the solution with indicator paper. 

Observation A flash of light can be observed when the sodium is pressed into the mercury, a dull grey solid matter results which is quite brittle and which can be broken sodium amalgam. In the reaction with water, small bubbles (hydrogen) occur and a solution is produced that colors the indicator paper blue sodium hydroxide solution. Liquid mercury remains after some time, it can be put back into the container. 

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