Mercury
Mercury (汞, symbol Hg) is chemical element number 80, a Transition Metal in period 6, group 12 of the periodic table, with a standard atomic weight of about 200.59. Only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Once used in thermometers, now restricted due to toxicity.
Properties
| Atomic number | 80 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Hg |
| Atomic mass | 200.59 u |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | 12 |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² |
| Electronegativity | 2 |
| Covalent radius | 132 pm |
| Density | 13.5336 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 234.32 K |
| Boiling point | 629.88 K |
| Discovery | Known since antiquity |
Overview
Only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Once used in thermometers, now restricted due to toxicity. Mercury (symbol Hg) is chemical element number 80, sitting in period 6, group 12 of the periodic table and classed as a Transition Metal. As a transition metal it commonly shows several oxidation states, forms coloured compounds, and is widely used in catalysts and alloys.
Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s², with 2 electrons in the outer shell, and an electronegativity of about 2 (Pauling). Around 25 °C it is usually a liquid (a very low melting point); it melts near 234.32 K (-38.8 °C), boils near 629.88 K (356.7 °C), has a density around 13.5336 g/cm³.
In industry and daily life it turns up in Electronics / Semiconductors and Medical / Pharma. It is regarded as a high-hazard element, so handle it with appropriate care. It has been known since antiquity. Browse elements of the same category in the browse view.
Electron shells
Electrons per shell: 2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 18 · 2
Main uses
- Electronics / Semiconductors
- Medical / Pharma
Hazard
Compounds containing Mercury
No compounds in this knowledge base contain Mercury yet.
Data sources
Atomic mass uses IUPAC (CIAAW) standard atomic weights; the covalent radius is from Cordero et al. (2008). Verify on the RSC Periodic Table, PubChem and Wikipedia. Educational reference only.