Magnetic properties of copper amalgams

Abstract

Magnetic properties of dilute as well as concentrated amalgams have been investigated. It has been shown that when dilute amalgams are prepared by prolonged electrolysis at room temperature the diamagnetic susceptibilty of the amalgams prepared is lower than that calculated on the mixture law and the results are in line with those of Venkataramiah; but if the amalgams are prepared at low temperature, 0° C., within 4-5 hours or by grinding the components according to the method of Terry and Wright susceptibility value of the amalgams obeys the mixture law. This difference in the susceptibility has been explained by the authors, by suggesting the formation of paragmanetic oxides formed during prolonged electrolysis at high temperatures. Amalgams of higher concentrations prepared by grinding method, when fresh obey the mixture law but on keeping, even under vacuum, become less diamagnetic and the maximum difference, in susceptibility values between a fresh and an aged amalgam is observed in one which contains 34 per cent. copper. This is supposed to be due to the formation of compound.