Eric, Does mercury ping

[wyndham]

A little off the wall idea and question for you. In its liquid state does mercury have a response when a PI detector scans it? Reason for the question is the idea that a metal needs to be in a solid state to react to a tx pulse. it seems that it should give a response but as a liquid does this change the way an eddy current behaves.
If it gives little or no response, it would seem that a rx coil of mercury(small plastic tube) might be useful.
Thanks for your time Wyndham

 

[Eric Foster]

Hi Wyndham,

Yes, mercury gives a normal metal signal. Its conductivity is only 1.8, compared to copper at 100, so you would need at least a teaspoonful to get a signal from a sensitive PI. It is a similar conductivity to a good stainless steel. Being a liquid does not matter as far as eddy currents go. Sea water and sulphuric acid also respond if there is sufficient volume.

Eric.

 

[wyndham]

So if you were to go looking for places where mercury might still be as a liquid(run off from old amalgamation into river)There would have to be a goodly amount to get a good signal.Thanks
Wyndham