Mercury
more than just a planet
Mercury
- symbol~Hg
- Atomic number~80
- Atomic Weight~200.59
- Group~12
- Period~6
- color~silvery white
- classification~Metallic
Description
Mercury is the only common metal liquid at ordinary temperatures.Another name for mercury is quicksilver. It is a heavy, silvery-white liquid metal. Also It is a rather poor conductor of heat as compared with other metals but is a fair conductor of electricity.
Uses
Medical purposes(ointments. Cosmetics). Also used for thermometers. It was used to forma amalgams of other metals around 500 BC.
Biology (In Humans)
No biological role but Mercury is wide spread in the biosphere and in food chains. (Even ours). mercury is a dreadful poison to people.there is no data on mercury in humans at all.
Geology (In Universe)
Very rare and is found in the earth’s crust. A mine in Spain has been operated since 400BC. the mercury is found in cinnabar ore. there is 1pbb by weight in the universe and 0.0006 pbb by atoms in the universe. there is also 250 pbb by weight on a meteorite and 0.12 pbb by atoms on a meteorite
Properties
- Melting point=‑37.89 °F
- Boiling point=674.11 °F
- Density of solid: 14190 kg
Interesting facts
- All mercury compounds are extremely toxic.
- Small amounts of mercury spillage can be cleaned up by addition of sulphur powder.
- Methyl mercury is a lethal pollutant found in rivers and lakes. The main source of pollution is industrial wastes settling to the river and lake bottoms.
History
Origin comes from the Latin word hydragyrum meaning liquid silver. Mercury was known by the ancient Chinese and Egyptians. It has been found in ancient burial tombs dated from 1500 BC. It was used to forma amalgams of other metals around 500 BC. The Greeks and Romans used it for medical purposes and beauty. Mercury is one of the only elements with an alchemy symbol.