What are the properties of Mercury?

Answer 1

Mercury is the only fluid metal at room temperature and, together with Bromine, one of the only two elements that are fluid (all other fluids being compounds).

Its density (13,5 kg/m3) is only exceeded by known metals like gold and platinum.

Symbol Hg atomic number 80, mean mass 200.6 a.m.u., group 12, period 6

Electron configuration [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2

Oxidation states: +1 (mercurous) and +2 (mercuric)

• Vapor is toxic (breathing)
• readily forming organo-mercury compounds,
• environmental pollutant known as one of the 'heavy metals',
• reaction with sulfur containing proteins,
• etc. etc.

Answer 2

Mercury is the smallest and innermost planet in our solar system. It has a thin atmosphere, extreme temperature variations between its hot days and cold nights, and a very long day that lasts about 59 Earth days. Mercury's surface is heavily cratered and has a large iron core that gives it a strong magnetic field.