Can you Make an Electro-magnet With Mercury?

If a small sealed cylinder (r = 0.25”, h = 6.0”) containing liquid mercury is made into an electromagnet at room temperature by coiling copper wire around the tube of mercury, will the cylinder become a magnet without producing heat or excessive vapor pressure? What is the formula to compute the magnetic force of attraction?
- David Herrera (age 68)
Tucson, AZ USA

Hello David,

The magnetic permeability of mercury is very very small and will not make an electromagnet similar to an equivalent piece of iron.   See for a more detailed explanation.

 

LeeH

 

 

(published on 12/09/2014)