Comments on: Hexafluorid. http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/ The Neat Side of the Web Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:55:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Boat http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-503880 Boat Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:09:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-503880 Just wait till David Blaine gets a hold of this one. Just wait till David Blaine gets a hold of this one.

]]> By: Dave The Ewok http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-450527 Dave The Ewok Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:43:44 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-450527 Another cool experiment to do would be to fill the bottom half of the with SF6 and the top half with helium. Then if you put a small balloon filled with regular air, it would sink through the helium but would float on the SF6, it would be suspended half way. Another cool experiment to do would be to fill the bottom half of the with SF6 and the top half with helium. Then if you put a small balloon filled with regular air, it would sink through the helium but would float on the SF6, it would be suspended half way.

]]> By: Travis http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-438526 Travis Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:02:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-438526 SF6 is used in sound detonation in the window industry. They will blend the nobel gases (Argon or Krypton usually) with SF6 to help lessen sound transmission. SF6 is used in sound detonation in the window industry. They will blend the nobel gases (Argon or Krypton usually) with SF6 to help lessen sound transmission.

]]> By: John Tunner http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-434214 John Tunner Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:56:04 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-434214 Best example I've seen of helium vs. sulphur hexaflouride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjCmwuGKR6g definately neatorama! Best example I’ve seen of helium vs. sulphur hexaflouride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjCmwuGKR6g

definately neatorama!

]]> By: T. Farrell http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-216201 T. Farrell Sun, 09 Sep 2007 21:49:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-216201 SF6 is used as an insulating (arc quencher0 in high voltage switchgear. It should not be allowed to be purged into open atmospere. It is a greenhouse gas that takes approximately 3000 years to decay. We need to be very careful with this stuff! SF6 is used as an insulating (arc quencher0 in high voltage switchgear. It should not be allowed to be purged into open atmospere. It is a greenhouse gas that takes approximately 3000 years to decay. We need to be very careful with this stuff!

]]> By: David Willey http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-138250 David Willey Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:49:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-138250 Jay and I had fun, it's not dangerous if you don't breathe it repeatedly and you don't have to bend down to exhale it I've found. Just breathing exchanges the gases well enough. I do it at least twice a month in my show, cheers, David P.S. Only use the very pure sf6, and don't use balloons without washing them inside and out, the manufacturers put some nasty powder in them to protect the rubber, you do not want to inhale it. Jay and I had fun, it’s not dangerous if you don’t breathe it repeatedly and you don’t have to bend down to exhale it I’ve found. Just breathing exchanges the gases well enough. I do it at least twice a month in my show,
cheers,
David
P.S. Only use the very pure sf6, and don’t use balloons without washing them inside and out, the manufacturers put some nasty powder in them to protect the rubber, you do not want to inhale it.

]]> By: JM http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-79264 JM Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:23:47 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-79264 We use SF6 for our linebackers in the field....We've always treated it as a dangerous gas. Here I am seeing and hearing of at least 2 people inhaling it. Definitely need more health information about it. Way neato trick with the boat. Don't know if my boss will let me fill up an aquarium with it tho....that shit ain't cheap. -J- West TX We use SF6 for our linebackers in the field….We’ve always treated it as a dangerous gas. Here I am seeing and hearing of at least 2 people inhaling it. Definitely need more health information about it. Way neato trick with the boat. Don’t know if my boss will let me fill up an aquarium with it tho….that shit ain’t cheap. -J- West TX

]]> By: jstipes http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-71986 jstipes Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:00:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-71986 Hey, I'm a teacher. Several of my students brought this video to my attention, showing the interesting clip on you-tube. It is cool. I'm sure chemistry teachers could have a field day with this one. However, I do have two concerns: 1. Is this gas readily available? 2. And, just how dangerous is this gas when inhaled--perhaps repeatedly? According to Google,SF6 is also linked with Wikipedia. Could someone please add a post, blog, public service announcement, disclaimer etc., describing the possible dangers of inhaling this gas for kicks? Certainly, Nearly everyone at some point has goofed around with a helium balloon at a birthday party, but repeated use could be quite deadly. On a lighter note, how dangerous could it be? I mean Jay Leno used it--maybe it settled in his chin :) Hey, I’m a teacher. Several of my students brought this video to my attention, showing the interesting clip on you-tube. It is cool. I’m sure chemistry teachers could have a field day with this one. However, I do have two concerns: 1. Is this gas readily available? 2. And, just how dangerous is this gas when inhaled–perhaps repeatedly?

According to Google,SF6 is also linked with Wikipedia. Could someone please add a post, blog, public service announcement, disclaimer etc., describing the possible dangers of inhaling this gas for kicks? Certainly, Nearly everyone at some point has goofed around with a helium balloon at a birthday party, but repeated use could be quite deadly. On a lighter note, how dangerous could it be? I mean Jay Leno used it–maybe it settled in his chin :)

]]> By: Eli http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-67776 Eli Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:04:18 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-67776 Another thing about SF6 (Sulfur Hexaflouride) is that it is an oxygen displacer, so whatever you do, don't breathe it in and try the stupid voice tricks like with Helium. It's very dangerous!!! Another thing about SF6 (Sulfur Hexaflouride) is that it is an oxygen displacer, so whatever you do, don’t breathe it in and try the stupid voice tricks like with Helium. It’s very dangerous!!!

]]> By: megaproll http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-65002 megaproll Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:52:14 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-65002 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbrDwxZ6LSQ german hiphop guys using hex-flor... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbrDwxZ6LSQ
german hiphop guys using hex-flor…

]]> By: Noah Dylan Goldblatt http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64933 Noah Dylan Goldblatt Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:17:51 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64933 @Jake Yea. You, Me and CP all brought it up so the post was fixed. @Jake Yea. You, Me and CP all brought it up so the post was fixed.

]]> By: Jake http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64830 Jake Sat, 13 Jan 2007 01:35:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64830 Hexaflorid is a correct spelling, if you are in Germany or anywhere east of there. Hexaflorid is a correct spelling, if you are in Germany or anywhere east of there.

]]> By: sankar http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64827 sankar Sat, 13 Jan 2007 01:04:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64827 Dear All, Amazing. Can somebdy enlighten me as to where more Experimmental Demos of this sort could be found in the Net? Dear All,
Amazing. Can somebdy enlighten me as to where more Experimmental Demos of this sort could be found in the Net?

]]> By: John http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64702 John Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:51:49 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64702 Several years ago, Jay Leno demonstrated the voice lowering characteristics of SF6. He sounded like Barry White after inhaling the stuff. In order to get it out of his lungs, he bent over and coughed a few times. He doesn't seem to be any worse for the experience. Several years ago, Jay Leno demonstrated the voice lowering characteristics of SF6. He sounded like Barry White after inhaling the stuff. In order to get it out of his lungs, he bent over and coughed a few times. He doesn’t seem to be any worse for the experience.

]]> By: Mattz http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64670 Mattz Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:34:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64670 Hehe, awesome stuff. Definitely appealed to my chemistry geek. I need to ask my professors for more info on similar gases now :D Sadly we couldn't float much more on it than a foil boat as it's just not dense enough. As for the comment of seeing a tank of it, you've got a tank maybe 0.5m x 0.3 x 0.3. Volume wise, that's not even approaching a mole of the substance, let alone anything that could cause environmental damage. Sure if every home had a small tinfoil boat bobbing in a tank of SF6, maybe we could worry. Until then, that car parked outside is a bigger danger to the environment. Hehe, awesome stuff. Definitely appealed to my chemistry geek. I need to ask my professors for more info on similar gases now :D
Sadly we couldn’t float much more on it than a foil boat as it’s just not dense enough. As for the comment of seeing a tank of it, you’ve got a tank maybe 0.5m x 0.3 x 0.3. Volume wise, that’s not even approaching a mole of the substance, let alone anything that could cause environmental damage. Sure if every home had a small tinfoil boat bobbing in a tank of SF6, maybe we could worry. Until then, that car parked outside is a bigger danger to the environment.

]]> By: Lasse http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64658 Lasse Fri, 12 Jan 2007 08:47:30 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64658 Couldn´t we pour the gas in a concrete riverbed, and then have vehicles hovering on top of it like flying cars? Couldn´t we pour the gas in a concrete riverbed, and then have vehicles hovering on top of it like flying cars?

]]> By: Jay http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64625 Jay Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:15:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64625 SF6 is one of the gases generally used in electrical substations as a circuit breaker. SF6 is one of the gases generally used in electrical substations as a circuit breaker.

]]> By: FrankenPengie http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64615 FrankenPengie Fri, 12 Jan 2007 04:10:16 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64615 If I'm not mistaken, this is the same gas used to demonstrate how light aerogel is. That was what, 4 or 5 years ago? If I’m not mistaken, this is the same gas used to demonstrate how light aerogel is. That was what, 4 or 5 years ago?

]]> By: MrPumpernickel http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64614 MrPumpernickel Fri, 12 Jan 2007 04:06:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64614 Econerd, the amount they have there, or even compressed in the tank, shouldn't be so much in the greater perspective, especially if we consider how much cars and factories spew out of carbon dioxide every day all around the world. Drop in the ocean if anything. Econerd, the amount they have there, or even compressed in the tank, shouldn’t be so much in the greater perspective, especially if we consider how much cars and factories spew out of carbon dioxide every day all around the world. Drop in the ocean if anything.

]]> By: RooBoy http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64603 RooBoy Fri, 12 Jan 2007 03:29:59 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64603 all technical information aside, I think the coolest point of all is that you can actually see the where the layer of Sulfur hexafluoride and air meet.. there is a faint greyish layer in the shadow just before they release the foil tray.. you can see it slightly as they scoup the Sulfur hexafluoride into the tray.. all technical information aside, I think the coolest point of all is that you can actually see the where the layer of Sulfur hexafluoride and air meet.. there is a faint greyish layer in the shadow just before they release the foil tray.. you can see it slightly as they scoup the Sulfur hexafluoride into the tray..

]]> By: Econerd http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64598 Econerd Fri, 12 Jan 2007 03:15:59 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64598 Sulfur Hexafluoride, SF6, has a global warming potential that is 22,200 times greater than Carbon Dioxide. It's a little scary to see a whole tank of it like that. http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/gwp.html Sulfur Hexafluoride, SF6, has a global warming potential that is 22,200 times greater than Carbon Dioxide. It’s a little scary to see a whole tank of it like that.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/gwp.html

]]> By: MrPumpernickel http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64596 MrPumpernickel Fri, 12 Jan 2007 03:14:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64596 Marcelo, it doesn't really have to do with the lungs but rather the vocal cords. The helium being less of less density than regular enables the vocal cords to actually vibrate faster, i.e. in a higher pitch, than normal. Just like sulfur hexafluoride is more dense and enables the vocal cords to vibrate slower, with more bass. Marcelo, it doesn’t really have to do with the lungs but rather the vocal cords. The helium being less of less density than regular enables the vocal cords to actually vibrate faster, i.e. in a higher pitch, than normal. Just like sulfur hexafluoride is more dense and enables the vocal cords to vibrate slower, with more bass.

]]> By: rich http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64594 rich Fri, 12 Jan 2007 03:03:49 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64594 The gas is often called SF6... The gas is often called SF6…

]]> By: Marcelo http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64590 Marcelo Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:46:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64590 I am not so sure one's voice goes squeaky because sounds travels faster in Helium. If that was the case, the sound waves would slow down back to normal speed when moving into air before reaching the listener's ears. The reason is probably more related to the amount of mass inside the lungs. Just like a thicker string has a lower pitch than a thiner one (all other things being equal). I am not so sure one’s voice goes squeaky because sounds travels faster in Helium. If that was the case, the sound waves would slow down back to normal speed when moving into air before reaching the listener’s ears. The reason is probably more related to the amount of mass inside the lungs. Just like a thicker string has a lower pitch than a thiner one (all other things being equal).

]]> By: Steve P http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64568 Steve P Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:18:33 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64568 That Dave guy must have some serious mental challenging going on b/w the extra chromosomes in his brain. I like how when he scoops up some hexafluorid, it makes the boat move like waves are hitting it, as the hexafluorid moves to fill in the scooped up part. Very neat experiment. That Dave guy must have some serious mental challenging going on b/w the extra chromosomes in his brain.

I like how when he scoops up some hexafluorid, it makes the boat move like waves are hitting it, as the hexafluorid moves to fill in the scooped up part. Very neat experiment.

]]> By: mike http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64562 mike Thu, 11 Jan 2007 23:45:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64562 This is the same gas that was in the circuit interrupter that failed in the 500,000volt (phase-phase, delta) substation arc video. It sees extensive use in the electrical industry as an insulating gas. Its neat stuff, but alas expensive and ozone depleting. http://www.panickker.net/article6.htm This is the same gas that was in the circuit interrupter that failed in the 500,000volt (phase-phase, delta) substation arc video. It sees extensive use in the electrical industry as an insulating gas. Its neat stuff, but alas expensive and ozone depleting.

http://www.panickker.net/article6.htm

]]> By: Jason http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64551 Jason Thu, 11 Jan 2007 22:24:40 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64551 Wow, that david guy must be mentally challenged. Wow, that david guy must be mentally challenged.

]]> By: Paul http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64547 Paul Thu, 11 Jan 2007 22:09:22 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64547 David, the article explains that the tank is filled with a gas that is more dense than air. When the hand in the video is "pouring air" into the boat, it's actually pouring the more dense gas into the boat. The boat is then unable to float on the gas any longer. No big mystery. David, the article explains that the tank is filled with a gas that is more dense than air. When the hand in the video is “pouring air” into the boat, it’s actually pouring the more dense gas into the boat. The boat is then unable to float on the gas any longer. No big mystery.

]]> By: krzo http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64545 krzo Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:56:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64545 So, if you breathe this stuff in, a good way to get it out is by hanging upside-down with your mouth open? So, if you breathe this stuff in, a good way to get it out is by hanging upside-down with your mouth open?

]]> By: Paul Newman's Eyes http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64541 Paul Newman's Eyes Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:32:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/11/hexafluorid/#comment-64541 All of what Russel says is true, but it is important to note that while non-toxic, the fact that it is heavier than air means the risk of suffocation is much greater. Think about it; when you breath out with helium, it all rushes out as soon as you open your lungs. With this, it will sink to the bottom of your lungs, and may not be breathed out for quite some time (the deepest you can breath out is around 70%). All of what Russel says is true, but it is important to note that while non-toxic, the fact that it is heavier than air means the risk of suffocation is much greater.
Think about it; when you breath out with helium, it all rushes out as soon as you open your lungs. With this, it will sink to the bottom of your lungs, and may not be breathed out for quite some time (the deepest you can breath out is around 70%).

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