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Mercury on The Periodic Table
Image Explanation
The image is of a traditional alchemical symbol for mercury. This is also an astological symbol for the planet Mercury. The dragon or serpent in the background comes from early alchemical drawings often associated with the element.
Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f145d106s2
Atomic Number: 80
Relative Atomic Mass: 200.592
Properties:
Melting point: -38.929oC, -37.892°F, 234.321 K
Boiling point: 356.619oC , 673.914°F, 629.769 K
Natural Abundance:
Mercury is not usually found free in nature and is primarily obtained from the mineral cinnabar (HgS).
The metal is obtained by heating cinnabar in a current of air and condensing the vapor.
Spain and Italy produce about half of the world's supply of Mercury.
Uses:
Many uses of Mercury are being phased out or are under review.
Mercury is mainly used in the chemical industry as catalysts.
Previously it was used in the manufacture of sodium hydroxide and chlorine by electrolysis of brine.
It was also commonly used in batteries, fluorescent lights, felt production, thermometers, and barometers.
Sometimes known as quicksilver, mercury is a heavy metal, like lead or cadmium, that exists in different chemical forms: Elemental mercury or metallic mercury is the element in its pure, 'un-combined' form. It is a shiny, silver-white metal that is liquid at room temperature, but is rarely found in this form in nature.
Page created by: Sam M.
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