----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Learning Kingdom's Cool Fact of the Day for August 10, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why aren't mercury thermometers allowed on airplanes?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial airlines prohibit the carry-on of mercury thermometers
because of the way mercury reacts with aluminum. If such a
thermometer were to break and spill on a plane, even a tiny amount of
mercury could badly damage the plane's aluminum frame.
Aluminum is used in the frames of airplanes because it is light and
strong. Unfortunately, it is also highly reactive. It reacts
strongly with the oxygen in air, but quickly forms a thin, protective
coating of aluminum oxide.
Aluminum's reaction with mercury is not so benign. Mercury breaks
through the protective layer of oxide, releasing lots of heat in the
process, and eats away the aluminum metal.
More about mercury and aluminum from New Scientist Magazine:
http://www.newscientist.com/lastword/answers/lwa613physical.html
Current airline carry-on restrictions:
http://www.luggageonline.com/airline.htm
Today's sponsor: Enews http://www.enlist.com/cgi-bin/re/enewscf
Try over 750 magazines 52; FREE! Only at Enews.com!
Maxim, Talk, Shape, George, Vogue, Newsweek, Glamour, and more!
Get all your favorite magazines for up to 80% off!
Check out Enews.com for the guaranteed lowest price!
http://www.enlist.com/cgi-bin/re/enewscf
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cool Fact of the Day list membership: 151,070
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To send a free gift subscription: http://www.tlk-lists.com/giftsub/
Subscribing, unsubscribing, address changes:
Existing subscribers: http://www.tlk-lists.com/change/
To join as a new subscriber: http://www.tlk-lists.com/join/
To become a sponsor: http://www.tlk-lists.com/sponsor/
Feedback: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1999, The Learning Kingdom, Inc.
http://www.LearningKingdom.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
