Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My project's idea is to purify the water from lead using gravitational force depending on Newton's law of universal gravitation. Bringing gold or silver nano particals and adjusting its mass and raduis so that it attracts the H2O molecules and leave the lead molecules.
My question is : Is this applicable with the existance of the earth's gravity or it should be done with 0 gravity ? And what are the ways to obtain a 0 gravity area ?

Thank you
Nada

Hello nadahazem,

You have a very interesting idea, but several aspects of your solution aren't practical.

Gravity is very, very weak in comparison to the electromagnetic forces that hold atoms and molecules together. Gravity would not be able to overcome the electromagnetic forces nor the motion of the molecules due to heat.

You say, "so that it attracts the H2O molecules and leave the lead molecules." Since lead is heavier. wouldn't you expect the lead to be more strongly attracted?

Even if gravity were not so weak, I think you would have to escape the earth's gravity since it would be so much stronger than the attraction of small particles.

You will need another idea, or you have to propose some way to get around the problems I mention.

Good luck, WW