All about Mercury, the Liquid Metal | Element Series
NileRedγ»2 minutes read
Mercury is a unique metallic element liquid at standard conditions, with a high density and a low boiling point, often found as cinnabar and forming alloys with other metals like aluminum.
Insights
- Mercury is the only metallic element that is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure, with a high density that allows objects like coins to float on its surface due to its weight.
- Mercury, commonly found as cinnabar, can be converted to elemental mercury through roasting or chemical methods, and forms alloys with other metals through amalgamation, disrupting protective oxide layers and forming new compounds like aluminum oxide fibers.
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Recent questions
What is the elemental symbol for Mercury?
Hg
How does Mercury's density compare to other metals?
Denser
At what temperature does Mercury solidify?
-39 degrees Celsius
How is Mercury commonly found in nature?
Mercury sulfide
What process is used to purify Mercury?
Distillation
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Summary
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"Unique Liquid Metal: Mercury's Properties Revealed"
- Mercury is unique as the only metallic element that is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure, with the elemental symbol Hg derived from its former name "Hydrargyrum," meaning water and silver in Greek.
- Mercury has a high density, with a small amount weighing two and a half pounds, making it denser than most metals and causing objects like coins to float on its surface.
- The melting/freezing point of mercury is around negative 39 degrees Celsius, solidifying below this temperature and melting back to liquid as it warms.
- Mercury has a low boiling point of around 360 degrees Celsius, allowing for purification through distillation, although this process is not recommended due to its dangers.
- Mercury exhibits high surface tension due to strong metallic bonding forces, causing it to form a nearly spherical shape in smaller volumes.
- Mercury is commonly found as mercury sulfide, known as cinnabar, which can be converted to elemental mercury through roasting or chemical methods.
- Mercury forms alloys with other metals through amalgamation, with aluminum being a common example, disrupting the protective oxide layer and reacting to form aluminum oxide fibers.
