Describes the properties of the element mercury and covers its history, its place in mythology, its uses, places where it is found, and mining and refining. Oct 26, 2018 the relationship doesnt develop until 1985 just before live aid, when mercury tracks hutton down, having worked his way through the phone book. Even the ancient egyptians had records of using mercury in various objects. Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. Heavy and silverywhite in appearance, mercury rarely occurs free in nature, and is found mainly. Despite being the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, mercury has the smallest liquid range of any metal. Mercurys official chemical symbol is hg, from the greek word hydrargyrum, meaning liquid silver or water silver. Mercury and most of its compounds are highly toxic. Element mercury hg, group 12, atomic number 80, dblock, mass 200. The diameter of planet mercury is 4,878 km 3,031 miles.
Mercury, also called quicksilver, is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol hg and atomic number 80. For every 2 orbits of the sun, which takes around 88 earth days, mercury completes three rotations of its axis. Its normal appearance is a liquid with silvery surface, hence its also called as quick silver. The relationship doesnt develop until 1985 just before live aid, when mercury tracks hutton down, having worked his way through the phone book. The longestlive radioisotopes are hg194 with a halflife of 444 years and hg203 with a halflife of 46. Uses, cost, and facts of mercury mercury the element. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and is also the smallest of the eight planets in our solar system. Mercury element facts periodic table of elements and chemistry. Owing to the increased awareness about mercury toxicity, its uses have considerably declined in the recent years. A heavy, silvery metal, mercury is one of the elements that are liquid at or near room temperature. The modern element symbol for mercury is hg, which is the symbol for another name. Elements found on earth and mars are exactly the same. Mercurous chloride hg 2 cl 2, also called calomel, is an antiseptic used to kill bacteria. Mercury fun facts cool kid facts fun facts for kids.
Facts list about the element mercury interesting 1. Treatment of hg i compounds complexation with strong ligands such as sulfide, cyanide, etc. But to this day, scientists still dont know who exactly discovered mercury. Mercuric sulfide vermilion is a highgrade, brightred paint pigment, but is very toxic so is now only. Although mercury and all of it compounds are known to be highly toxic. Mercury was first known to the ancient chinese and hindus and was found in egyptian tombs in 1500 b. These blocks are named for the characteristic spectra they produce. It is as abundant as silver, and ranks 67th in the. It is gravitationally locked and this rotation is unique to the solar system. The symbol hg that mercury is known by comes from its greek name, hydrargyrum, which means liquid silver to reflect its shiny surface. One of the most, if not the most, astonishing facts about.
Pictures, stories, and facts about the element mercury in the periodic. Hydrogen is the most common element found in the universe. Mercury easily forms alloys, called amalgams, with other metals such as gold, silver and tin. It is highly reflective, and moves at the slightest touch.
Mercury also called quicksilver, is an element that has the symbol hg greek. Mercury is named after the roman swiftfooted messenger god. The element mercury mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Aug 15, 2008 mercury s place on the periodic table and its subatomic particles are also discussed. Mercury is one of the two elements that are liquids at standard temperature and pressure. Block elements are organised into blocks by the orbital type in which the outer electrons are found. Wild, weird, wonderful stories about the elements that. Mercury its atomic symbol is hg hydtagyrum which in greek means water silver.
Mercury has no atmosphere and no known satellites, perhaps because of its proximity to the sun. Mercury, also called quicksilver, is the only common metal which is a liquid at room temperature. Mercury element information, properties and uses periodic table. The pure metal is absorbed easily by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin. Mercury is a metallic element that is a liquid at room temperature. The planet mercury is a bit larger than the earths moon. The term mercury poisoning refers to the ingestion. Feb 21, 2015 feb 21, 2015 personified elements elements, personified.
This pool was shaped by carefully bending the blackpainted foil it was resting on. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun in earths solar system, but has no moons and no substantial atmosphere. The atomic number of each element increases by one, reading from left to right. This dense metal is atomic number 80 with element symbol hg. Mercury is a dense, silverywhite, poisonous metal with a mirrorlike appearance. Mercury may be seen as a transition metal, but it is normally seen as a posttransition metal. Mercury is a decent conductor of electricity but its ability. Mercury is the only metallic element that is a liquid at room temperature. Mercuric chloride hgcl 2 is a very poisonous salt and was once used to disinfect wounds.
Mercury facts interesting facts about planet mercury. This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference. Top 10 facts about mercury element less known facts. One of the amazing facts about the element mercury is that it is named after a greek god just as the first planet to the earth. Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol hg and atomic number 80. It is a terrestrial planet, which means it is an earthlike planet made up of rocks or metals and has a hard surface. Its atomic number, 80, puts mercury in period 6, group 12 and the dblock of elements in the periodic table. Mercury element simple english wikipedia, the free. A heavy, silvery, transition metal, mercury is one of five elements that. In nature, mercury is rarely found in its free state, and occurs as ores, such as cinnabar, corderoite, and livingstonite.
Mercury is one of the two elements that are liquids at room temperature and normal pressure. Isotopes are atoms of the same element, with different numbers of neutrons. Mercury made me see how many different areas of life the periodic table intersects with, and i wrote the disappearing spoon because i realized. Nonetheless, this element is still used in various ways and means in industries. Mercury is actually very poisonous and can potentially kill people. Mercury hg, chemical element, liquid metal of group 12 iib, or zinc group of the periodic table. Sources, facts, uses, scarcity sri, podcasts, alchemical symbols, videos and. The novel use of mercury allows very compact atomic clocks, with low energy requirements, and is.
Mercury is a silverywhite metal, with a shining appearance. This collection of mercury facts includes atomic data, the electron configuration, chemical and physical properties, and history of the element. If there is a broken thermometer, barometer, or even a sphygmomanometer in a school, the school will be evacuated because of how potentially dangerous mercury is. Mercury has been present and known for past few millennia. Mercury was once known as liquid silver or quicksilver which was studied by the alchemists. An overview of the common uses of the element mercury. Zinc, cadmium and mercury elements hardcover september 1, 1996 by keith walshaw author. The book also explains the element s applications in thermometers, thermostats, silent wall switches, fluorescent lights, and dental amalgams. In ancient times the elements referred to fire, earth, water, and air. Dec 18, 2014 when mercury comes into contact with gold, the gold dissolves into the mercury and then the two are separated, with the mercury being distilled off. There are many applications of mercury, especially for the manufacture of industrial chemicals, electronic applications, electrical, scientific, and medical instruments such as thermometers, barometers, hydrometer, diffusion pump, esophageal dilators, cosmetics, telescopes, hygrometer, vaccines, sphygmomanometer, dental fillings, mercury. Mercury forms useful compounds with other elements. The ease with which it amalgamates with gold made it useful in recovering gold from its ores.
To revive discussion, seek broader input via a forum such as the village pump. The most abundant in nature is mercury202 which comprises around 30% of all mercury. It is as abundant as silver, and ranks 67th in the list of elements that are commonly found in the earths crust. Nov 15, 2010 mercury is the closest planet to the sun in earths solar system, but has no moons and no substantial atmosphere. Kids learn about the element mercury and its chemistry including atomic weight, atom, uses, sources, name, and discovery. Mercury element information, properties and uses periodic. Mercury childrens science book by susan watt and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This sciencestruck article lists some important uses of mercury. It is the smallest planet in our solar system and the closest planet to the sun.
Mercury has seven stable isotopes with hg202 being the most abundant 29. Compounds of mercury i most mercury usually forms simple stable compounds with metalmetal bonds. Mercury poisoning and diseases mercury poisoning dental amalgam controversy erethism minamata disease niigata minamata disease ontario minamata disease 1971 iraq poison grain disaster chemistry mercury beating heart mercury cycle mercury polycations patio process mercury compounds bistrimethylsilyl mercury mercuric amidochloride mercury selenide. Mercury amalgams were also used in dental fillings. Mercury facts mercury is the only metallic element that is a liquid at room temperature. Your weight on mercury would be 38% of your weight on earth. A day on the surface of mercury lasts 176 earth days. Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers, sphygmomanometers, float valves, mercury switches, mercury relays, fluorescent lamps and other devices, though concerns about the elements toxicity have led to mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers being largely phased out in clinical environments in favor of alternatives such as. Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system.