Turning mercury into a weird sponge

The script details an experiment involving sodium amalgam and mercury, where the reaction between them is observed to be rapid and exothermic, leading to the formation of solid amalgam crystals. The creator's interest in forming an ammonium amalgam, a substance not typically a metal, is sparked by its potential use as a gateway to other amalgams. Initial attempts to create the amalgam using liquid amalgam and ammonia solution are unsuccessful, but the addition of hydrochloric acid leads to the formation of the desired ammonium amalgam through a redox reaction. The process is visually documented, and two potential theories for the amalgam's behavior are proposed: either the ammonium radical can solidify mercury at lower concentrations or the sodium amalgam distribution is altered by the reaction and gas bubbles, causing areas of increased concentration and solidification.

This paragraph explores the impact of temperature on the stability of the ammonium amalgam. The experimenter cools the ammonia solution in ice before adding it to the sodium amalgam and hydrochloric acid, observing a slower reaction and expansion. Despite the expectation that colder conditions would prolong the amalgam's stability, it degrades in approximately the same time frame as at room temperature. The experimenter also attempts to remove the amalgam from its container for closer examination, noting its rapid degradation upon exposure to air. Attempts to stabilize it with ammonium chloride solution are unsuccessful, and the amalgam's surface tension is observed to be altered, possibly due to residual sodium. The paragraph concludes with the experimenter's reflections on the amalgam's behavior and the challenges of studying its properties.

The script describes a series of tests to understand how heat affects the ammonium amalgam. Initially, the experimenter heats the amalgam with a heat gun and adds ammonium chloride, finding that high temperatures cause the amalgam to die quickly and barely grow. Upon reducing the heat, the reaction becomes more visually interesting but remains short-lived. The experimenter notes that the amalgam's texture becomes incredibly soft yet maintains its shape, and it slowly degrades. When ammonium chloride is added after heating, the amalgam's bubbling slows down, and it appears to freeze, possibly due to the cold solution or the chloride itself. The experimenter is unsure why this freezing effect occurs and hypothesizes that it may be related to the residual sodium or the cooling effect of the solution. The paragraph concludes with further tests using solid sodium amalgam, which expands like a water-absorbent toy but quickly degrades back to liquid.

The final paragraph reflects on the journey of creating an ammonium amalgam, which began with no visual references online and resulted in a fascinating discovery. The experimenter expresses hope for a definitive answer to the debate on whether a true ammonium amalgam forms. Additionally, the script shifts focus to the channel's merchandise, mentioning a past campaign selling shirts and sweaters and the recent opening of a Tspring shop featuring a single design. The experimenter is working on new designs, including one inspired by the Pharaoh serpent demo, and thanks the supporters on Patreon for their early access to videos and direct messaging privileges.