Does Liquid Hydrogen Really Flow Uphill? If So, Why? Also, do any other substances do funny things like that?

Question

Hi,

My Mate told me this a few days back and was wondering if it were true.

Could someone tell me why,

the best answer gets 10 points, it should say why, and maybe give an example of another substance that does funny things like that.

Answer 1

If I recall correctly, LH2 doesn't 'flow' uphill (that would be impossible because of gravity), but it can 'creep' uphill due to a combination of its low viscosity and capillary effect.

To see capillary effect, put a clear straw in a glass of water. You will see the 'meniscus' (the edges of the water level) in the straw distinctly above the level of the water in the glass. No 'flow' required.

I've heard that liquid helium has a similar property.

Answer 2

Your mate is full of ****. Anything would be pulled by gravity down.

Anyway hydrogen gas would float up in the air like helium because it would be less dense then the surrounding atmosphere, but liquid hydrogen is denser then air so it would go down.

Also liquid hydrogen would instantly turn into a gas if released from its pressurized container, and then float away, that might be what your mate is thinking about.

Answer 3

1. I get to see rarely-seen friends tomorrow. 2. My society and environment teacher was away for the whole week. 3. it was a beautiful day today. the sun was golden-like and it just made me feel so radiant! (4. i'm finally moving on from something i've gone through for straight 8 months. and that relatives are well after the storm that passed by their town. )

Answer 4

i wouldnt see why liquid hydrogen would flow uphill. it has mass and all mass is attracted to mass, so hydrogen wouldnt flow away from the earth just because of its low mass.