I'm kind of thinking the guy in the video used some special materials for the experiment, i.e., pure metals. If I recall correctly he also had trouble starting the reaction and had to use an acid wash to eliminate any residual Al
2O
3. There is a vague memory somewhere in my skull suggesting that thermometers no longer use mercury. I seem to recall breaking into one somewhere in my teenage years and being disappointed. Tilt switches, however, more than likely are the real thing. They are less likely to be tinkered with by curious young men.
![Mr Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/MRgreen.gif)
If the aluminum sample is truly aluminum, maybe some oven cleaner or some of that CLR cleaner would work. Both have hydrochloric acid in them.
I knew somebody who worked for Ford Motor Company. His job was to calculate the cost of parts down to the 3rd decimal place, e.g., 11.123 cents. They would change the part or the process if they could affect the cost down to the .001 cents level, just to give you an idea of how cost conscious those folks are. It was also Ford that made some headlines many years ago with the revelation that around $10,000 of that new car price goes to the employees' pension fund. Dealers, of course, get volume discounts too and rebates that we as consumers never hear about. So, I'm betting that $30,000 new Hupmobile costs out at half the MSRP to manufacture. No, I can't afford that either, but I'm not one to say the people in the supply chain should not make a profit.
At one time I fantasized over owning a red Lamborghini, but in my old age I've changed my preference to
Bentley. The particular model I'm interested in, the Mulsanne, starts at $345,000. As you can see by the web page there are a few options that would raise the price a bit. Should I win the Lotto, you can bet the farm on the fact that I'm going to get one. I'll even come visit you and take you for a ride.
![LOL :lol:](./images/smilies/lol.gif)