Sorry if some of you think my reply is off topic, but I thought it might be of interest to some of you.
Colin's post was made in jest, and I found it humorous, however, there may be some individuals on this list that might get the idea that the ethyl alcohol we soak our meteorites in is the same as the stuff we drink thus considering their soaking solution to be a dual purpose liquid.
Not so.
Several years ago, I was talking with my chemical supplier, Eric, about alcohol and using it to displace water from meteorite specimens. He recommended that I change to isopropanol for several reasons. First, isopropanol evaporates faster than ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Even though it evaporates quicker out of your soaking container, which should always be covered, it also evaporates faster when it comes in contact with your skin thus lessening the chance of absorption. In addition, isopropanol is less hazardous to your health than ethanol.
Technical grade ethanol is only 99% pure. This is due to a regulation that requires an additive be included in ethyl alcohol to prevent it from being drank. This 1% additive can be methanol, aviation gas, jet fuel, or an of a number of different compounds. If you drink 99% tech grade ethanol, you WILL become violently ill.
One final thing. I have noticed that when ethanol evaporates completely from a soaking container, there is a bit of sticky residue left behind. This is not the case with isopropanol.
Anyone have any additional or conflicting information...or opinions?
Best,
John Gwilliam
At 07:21 PM 3/25/03 +0300, colin wade wrote:
Hi folks If I may suggest a more meteorite friendly determination
substitute the water for ethyl alcohol , with a correction of. 0.88? for the water density
the fluid must be carfully & ecollogically disposed by dilution 10 - 14- 1 with carbonated water with a trace of quinnine and prepared for the disposal by passing through the human kidney.
the determination may need repeating several times to reduce experimental error .... but no meteorites will be harmed during the process
the murchisons & tagish may end up a tad less organic & the determinator may lose a little spatial resolution
may even catch on
;-)
searches are off at the mo.... deserts even more hostile god bless & all the best col
----- Original Message ----- From: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Howard Wu To: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>meteorite-list Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 6:48 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] Measuring Density
Unfortunately the normal way to measure density( specific gravity) is to weight the stone UNDER WATER. This is compared to the weight in air. This give the displacement with water having a density of 1gm/cc.
Howard Wu
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