Mercury [Hg] (CAS-ID: 7439-97-6) locate me
An: 80 N: 121 Am: 200.59
Group No: 12  Group Name: (none)
Block: d-block  Period: 6
State: liquid at 298 K (the heaviest known elemental liquid)
Colour: silvery white Classification: Metallic
Boiling Point: 629.88K (356.73'C)
Melting Point: 234.32K (-38.83'C)
Density: (liquid) 13.534g/cm3
Shell Structure diagram | Atomic Radius diagram
Isotopes | More Info
Discovery Information
Who: Known to the ancients
Name Origin
From the Greek god Mercury who was the messenger to the gods and was known for his speed; Hg from mercury's Latin name Hydrargyrum, which comes from the Greek word "hydrargyros" ("hydor" for water and "argyros" for silver).
Sources
Mercury is rarely found in native form. Most mercury is found in the minerals; cinnabar (the main source), corderoite, livingstonite as well as some others. 50% of the world's mercury comes from Spain and Slovenia, with much of the rest coming from Russia and the USA.
Uses
Used in thermometers, barometers, diffusion pumps, coulometers, fluorescent lamps, mercury switches, insectisides, and batteries. Gaseous mercury is used in mercury-vapour lamps.
Mercury was once used in the amalgamation process of refining gold and silver ores. This polluting practice is still used by the garimpeiros (gold miners) of the Amazon basin in Brazil.
Notes
Causes neurological and kidney damage and blindness. Also associated with birth defects. Very damaging to aquatic life. It is found in paint, batteries, thermometers, electrical equipment, fluorescent lights and plastics. Batteries account for 88% of the mercury content in municipal solid waste
Because of mercury's ability to rapidly corrode aluminium, transport by aircraft is restricted.
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