Coulomb explosion during the early stages of the reaction of alkali metals with water.
نویسندگان
چکیده
Alkali metals can react explosively with water and it is textbook knowledge that this vigorous behaviour results from heat release, steam formation and ignition of the hydrogen gas that is produced. Here we suggest that the initial process enabling the alkali metal explosion in water is, however, of a completely different nature. High-speed camera imaging of liquid drops of a sodium/potassium alloy in water reveals submillisecond formation of metal spikes that protrude from the surface of the drop. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that on immersion in water there is an almost immediate release of electrons from the metal surface. The system thus quickly reaches the Rayleigh instability limit, which leads to a 'coulomb explosion' of the alkali metal drop. Consequently, a new metal surface in contact with water is formed, which explains why the reaction does not become self-quenched by its products, but can rather lead to explosive behaviour.
منابع مشابه
Comparison of Catalytic Effect of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals Hydrogen Sulfate: As the Promoter for an Efficient Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones under Solvent-Free Conditions
Alkali and alkaline earth metals hydrogen sulfate catalyzed the one-pot three component condensation reactions of aldehydes, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and urea or thiourea under solvent-free conditions leading to 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones in high yields at 80 °C. Our results showed that Biginelli reaction not only is pH dependent, but the cation of catalyst plays an importan...
متن کاملAccumulation and distribution of metals in Phragmites australis (common reed) and Scirpus maritimus (alkali bulrush) in contaminated soils of Lia industrial area
The concentration of three metals, zinc, copper and chromium in roots, rhizomes, stems and leaves of Phragmites australis (common reed) and Scirpus maritimus, and in the corresponding sediment and water samples from Lia industrial area (Qazvin, Iran) were investigated to determine difference in distribution among plant organs. Data were collected at during 1-year period. Results showed that met...
متن کاملDeveloping numerical algorithm and a new program for simulating alkali aggregate reaction in mass concrete
Nowadays, Alkali Aggregate Reaction is considered as one of the most dangerous weak points of concrete and its occurrence has been widely reported in various structures. In the current study, a program is developed for predicting and examining the effects of mentioned reaction on the three-dimensional analysis of concrete structures such as arch dams. In this regard, a program provided for dam ...
متن کاملStudy of trace metals during estuarine mixing of Jarahi River water with the Musa Estuary water
Flocculation of metals is one of the most important estuarine processes that occur due to the mixing of seawater and river water and colloidal metals undergo this process come in the form of flocculants. Due to the important role of flocculation process in producing suitable food sources for aquatic organisms and reducing the amount of input pollution into aquatic environments, the present stud...
متن کاملExperimental Study of Masonry Structure Under Impact Loading and Comparing it with Numerical Modeling Results via Finite Element Model Updating
Given the sophisticated nature of the blast phenomenon in relation to structures, it is of significance to accurately investigate the structure behavior under blast loads. Due to its rapid and transient nature, blast loading is one of the most important dynamic loadings on the structures. Since masonry materials are widely used as the partition and bearing walls in the existing and newly-built ...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Nature chemistry
دوره 7 3 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2015