r/BeAmazed • u/himmokala • Dec 15 '24

Science Using red dye to demonstrate how Mercury cannot be absorbed by a towel

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u/agludwig Dec 15 '24

Ok so does absolutely NO mercury get absorbed? Like would it be safe if i were to lick that towel? Asking for a friend

1

u/Mdayofearth Dec 15 '24

Is something absorbed if it sits on the surface?

The towel and dye are not mercury free after that if that's what you're asking.

3

u/stoneimp Dec 15 '24

Is something absorbed if it sits on the surface?

No, that would be called adsorption and it's a different thing.

But the question is a good one, how does this experiment prove the title hypothesis? All it clearly demonstrates is that the food coloring prefers the paper towel to the mercury, it really doesn't say anything about the mercury and the towels interaction.

1

u/agludwig Dec 15 '24

Damn no food for me i guess 😔