Element Assignment : Mercury
By: Aaliyah Clarke
Physical properties:
State of Matter: Liquid Common use: For thermometers
Colour: Silvery- grey
Odour: Odourless
Electrical/Heat Conductivity: Strong (good)
Density: High
Lustre: Shiny/Mirror-like reflection
Viscosity: Low ( Water-like consistency)
Chemical Properties
Toxicity: Very high
Reactivity with acids: Commonly has great reaction with hot acids rather than cold acids (No reaction)
Oxidization: Does not readily react with oxygen
Compounds: Are pigmented pesticides and medicines
Social applications
Economic Applications
- Mercury used in thermometers, barometers, and manometers- creating business in health appliances
- Used in the manufacturing of Chlorine and sodium hydroxide
- Used in electrical gear- switches and rectifiers ( need reliability)
Environmental Effects
- Can contaminate our fresh water ( Thus effecting us)
- can cause nerve damage in organisms( converted to methyl mercury)-consumed by fish
- accumulation of mercury in our ground- create larger amount of contaminated water
- Damage our food chains- mercury passed on
- Strong effect on wildlife and body ( Kidney, stomach)
Bibliography
Mezger, T. Mercury. Viscopedia. Retrieved from http://www.viscopedia.com/viscosity-tables/substances/mercury/
Working with Mercury. United States Department of Labour. Retrieved from http://www.msha.gov/Illness_Prevention/healthtopics/HHICM05.htm
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility - Office of Science Education. The Element of Mercury. Jefferson Lab. Retrieved from http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele080.html
Mercury Atom. Retrieved November 9, 2015 from http://www.pcs.k12.va.us/tms/periodictable/hg/hg.htm
Alchin, Linda (2015). Mercury Properties. Elemental Matter. Retrieved from http://www.elementalmatter.info/mercury-properties.htm
Mercury. Lenntech. Retrieved from http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/hg.htm
Mercury being poured. Retrieved November 12, 2015 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)