Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum (from Greek “hydr-” water and “argyros” silver). A heavy, silvery d-block element, mercury is the only metal that is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure; the only other element that is liquid under these conditions is bromine, though metals such as caesium, gallium, and rubidium melt just above room temperature. With a freezing point of −38.83 °C and boiling point of 356.73 °C, mercury has one of the narrowest ranges of its liquid state of any metal.
Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers, sphygmomanometers, float valves, mercury switches, mercury relays, fluorescent lamps and other devices though concerns about the element’s toxicity have led to mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers being largely phased out in clinical environments in favour of alternatives such as alcohol or galinstan-filled glass thermometers, thermistor or infrared-based electronic instruments. Likewise mechanical pressure gauges and electronic strain gauge sensors have replaced mercury sphygmomanometers. It remains in use in scientific research applications and in amalgam material for dental restoration in some locales. It is used in lighting: electricity passed through mercury vapor in a fluorescent lamp produces short-wave ultraviolet light which then causes the phosphor in the tube to fluoresce, making visible light.
Mercury does not react with most acids, such as dilute sulfuric acid, although oxidizing acids such as concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid or aqua regia dissolve it to give sulfate, nitrate, and chloride salts. Like silver, mercury reacts with atmospheric hydrogen sulfide. Mercury even reacts with solid sulfur flakes, which are used in mercury spill kits to absorb mercury vapors (spill kits also use activated carbon and powdered zinc).
Name:Mercury
EINECS:231-106-7
Molecular Formula:Hg
CAS Registry Number:7439-97-6
Synonyms:Quicksilver; Mercury metal 99.99+ % for analysis; Mercuryredistilled; Mercury solution 1000 ppm; Mercury solution 10 000 ppm
InChI:InChI=1/Hg
Appearance:silver liquid
Molecular Weight:200.59
Density:13.54
Boiling Point:356.5°C
Melting Point:-38.9°C
Storage Temperature:Poison room
Solubility:insoluble in water
Stability:Stable. Incompatible with strong acids, sodium thiosulfate, ammonium hydroxide.
flowerlife1 