Page 33 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Mercury (Hg)
Element 80. Mercury, which is also called quicksilver, is a silvery-coloured liquid metal belonging to the transition metals in the Periodic Table. It is the heaviest known liquid element.
Mercury is the only metal element that is liquid at room temperature. It has very good electrical conductivity but is a poor conductor of heat.
Discovery
It has been known since ancient times.
Technology
Since it is liquid at room temperature
and does not cling to glass, it is used in thermometers. Because of its high density it is used in Fortin-type barometers. Since it conducts electricity, it is also
goes into special sealed switches.
Key facts...
Name: mercury
Symbol: Hg
Atomic number: 80
Atomic weight: 200.59 (2)
Position in Periodic Table: transition metal, group
(12), (zinc group); period 6
State at room temperature: liquid
Colour: silvery
Density of liquid: 13.6 g/cc
Melting point: –39°C
Boiling point: 357°C
Origin of name: named after the planet Mercury.
The symbol Hg is from the Latin word
hydrargyrum, meaning liquid silver
Shell pattern of electrons: 2–8–18–32–18–2
 When a solution of yellow potassium chromate is dropped into a colourless solution of mercuric nitrate, an orange precipitate of mercuric chromate forms.
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