MERCURY

Hg
Atomic Number:
80
Atomic Mass:
200.59
It is a transition metal

DISCOVERY

• Mercury was discovered in ancient times
• Tested by Aristotle in 360 BC
• Not one person discovered it

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• very heavy
• silvery-white liquid metal
• high density

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

• poor conductor of heat
• fair conductor of electricity
• high rate of thermal expansion

USES

• Barometers and manomters
• cunsumer batteries
• fluorescent lighting
• switches and rectifiers
• HgCl2 used in rat poisen

FUN FACTS

• one of the few metals that is a liquid at room temp.
• it is reactive to all alkali metals
• it is released into the air by fossil fuels
• 8.000 tonnes of mercury made per year
• symbol Hg because originally named hydragyrum

Sources
www.lenntech.com
www.chemicool.com