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Is mercury acidic

Updated: 8/10/2023
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11y ago

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Josianne Prohaska

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2y ago
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13y ago

Mercury is a noble metal, it does not react with water alone. The Mercury/Water interface has been the focus of some very interesting research. The Oxygen atoms in the H2O molecules align to face a Hg surface and form a passive atomic scale layer of Jelly/Ice.

Mercury reacts with oxidising agents such as nitric acid,....forming..... well..... 'oxides'. It may be dissolved by other reagents such as nascent chlorine to form salts (Aqua Regia dissolves Hg).

I understand that all concentrations of both Nitric acid and Sulphuric acid may react slowly with Hg......I think it is stable in Hydrochloric acid (though not certain)................

It is incompatible with Hydrogen Peroxide as is catalyses the recombination of oxygen in an exothermic reaction........depending on the concentration, the heat generated can cause the evaporation of the Hg and/or the Oxygen can cause the spontanous oxidative explosion of the Hg.(these things are generally undesirable)

It is also listed as incompatible with Ammonia(though this is neither an acid nor water).

BE CAREFUL..... it is possible to react Mercury metal with simple reagents to form the very toxic!!! "Methyl Mercury", one drop of this stuff on your finger and you can kiss your nervous system goodbye (a very unpleasant death apparently).....

Several studies indicate that methylmercury is linked to subtle developmental deficits in children exposed in-utero such as loss of IQ points, and decreased performance in tests of language skills, memory function and attention deficits.[12] Methylmercury exposure in adults has also been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease including heart attack.[13][14][15] Some evidence also suggests that methylmercury can cause autoimmune effects in sensitive individuals. However, to date, methylmercury has not been linked to any specific neurologic or autoimmune disease. Although there is no doubt that methylmercury is toxic in several respects, including through exposure of the developing fetus, there is still some controversy as to the levels of methylmercury in the diet that can result in adverse effects.

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15y ago

Mercury is an element.

It is also a metal.

it is not an acid, but can be acted on by acids to produce salts.

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13y ago

Sulfuric acid that is

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11y ago

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11y ago

No.

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Q: Is mercury acidic
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