What are the characteristics of mercury?

Answer 1

Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hgand atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum ( < 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, francium, gallium, and rubidiummelt 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.[2][3][4]

Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world mostly as cinnabar (mercuric sulfide). The red pigment vermilion is mostly obtained by reduction from cinnabar. Cinnabar is highly toxic by ingestion or inhalation of the dust. Mercury poisoning can also result from exposure to water-soluble forms of mercury (such as mercuric chloride ormethylmercury), inhalation of mercury vapor, or eating seafood contaminated with mercury.

Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers, sphygmomanometers, float valves, mercury switches, 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 favor of alcohol-filled, galinstan-filled, digital, or thermistor-based instruments. It remains in use in scientific research applications and in amalgam material for dental restoration. It is used in lighting: electricity passed through mercury vapor in a phosphor tube produces short-wave ultraviolet light which then causes the phosphor tofluoresce, making visible light.

Answer 2

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and so has the shortest year. It is also the smallest planet in our solar system.

Also Mercury has said to have ice on it! The craters of Mercury might have ice in them which would be a good source of life on planet Mercury!

Answer 3

Only planet where one side always faces the sun. Permanent day on one side and permanent night on the other. Caused by millennia of tidal friction - same reason the same side of the moon always faces the earth. And although it is the closest planet to the sun, it is not the most volcanic planet in our solar system. Venus is the most volcanic planet in our solar system, being the second planet from the sun.

Answer 4

It is a transition metal that is in a liquid state at room tempreture. It is extremly toxic, a very small amount is enough to kill a human. It is commonly used in thermometers due to is high rate of expansion when heated.

Answer 5

Mercury is a heavy, silvery metal that is liquid at room temperature. It is a good conductor of electricity, does not easily react with most acids, and has a high surface tension. However, it is highly toxic to humans and the environment.

Answer 6

Mercury is the smallest of the planets, and is 1,100 degrees F. It is thought that ice may be in its craters.

Answer 7

mercury is the first planet away from the sun.

Answer 8

Mercury is a silver-white poisonous metal. Its main distinguishing characteristic is that it is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature. When mercury breaks, it forms tiny beads.