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Mercury is the only chemical element that is liquid at room temperature. The element is neither created nor destroyed. It can, however, cycle through the environment as part of both natural and human activities.
- Mercury is a heavy, silvery-white liquid metal that is commonly known as quicksilver.
- The compound has an atomic number of 80.
- It is the only element that exists in the liquid state at standard pressure and temperature.
- Mercury belongs to d-block elements and has the symbol Hg.
- It is a type of transition metal that can be used for human and natural activities.
- The major deposits of the compound are found in cinnabar.
- It can be used in devices like thermometers, manometers, and barometers.
Key Terms: Mercury, Transition Metal, Metal, d-Block Elements, Periodic Table, Electrons, Orbitals, Pressure, Temperature, Enthalpy, Conductor, Surface Tension
What is Mercury?
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Mercury has an atomic number of 80 and a mass of 200.59 g/mol. It is the only metal that can be found in liquid form. Its symbol is (Hg). Mercury is also a transition element because it is found in the d-block of the current periodic table.
- It is located in the middle of the s and p blocks elements.
- Mercury metal lies at the 12th group and 6th period of the periodic table.
- It is an excellent electrical conductor and a fair thermal conductor.
- The compound is a good conductor of electricity due to the presence of unpaired electrons in the d orbital.
- The loss of electrons take place at the outermost s-subshells.
- Since the size of mercury is large as a result it can form alloy with silver, gold and tin.
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Elemental, inorganic and methyl organic compounds are different form of mercury.
The tabulated details about Mercury metal is as follows:
| Element | Mercury |
|---|---|
| Electronegativity according to Pauling | 1.9 |
| Melting point of mercury | – 38.9 °C |
| Density of mercury | 13.6 g.cm-3 at 20°C |
| Van Der Waals radius | 0.157 nm |
| Boiling point of mercury | 356.6 °C |
| Ionic radius of mercury | 0.11 nm (+2) |
| Electronic shell of mercury | [ Xe ] 4f14 5d10 6s2 |
| Isotopes of mercury | 12 |
| Energy of first ionisation | 1004.6 kJ.mol -1 |
| Energy of second ionisation | 1796 kJ.mol -1 |
| Energy of third ionisation | 3294 kJ.mol -1 |
| Standard potential of mercury | + 0.854 V ( Hg2+/ Hg ) |
Read More:
| Chapter Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ionic Bond (Electrovalent Bond) | Isotopes of Hydrogen | Column chromatography |
| Enthalpy | Electrophoresis | Noble gases |
Properties of Mercury
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The important properties of mercury are tabulated below:
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Mercury | Hg |
| Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass | 200.59 g.mol -1 |
| Density | 13545.848 kg/m3 |
| Boiling Point | 356.6 degrees Celsius. |
| Melting Point | – 38.9 °C |
Physical Properties of Mercury
Physical properties of Mercury are as follows:
- Mercury is a shiny and silvery liquid metal.
- At 20 degrees Celsius, the compound has a density of 13.6 g/cm3.
- It has a very high boiling point of 356.6 degrees Celsius.
- 4f145d106s2 is the electronic configuration of the compound.
- Mercury shows three different ionisation enthalpies: 1004 KJ/mole, 1796 KJ/mole, and 3294 KJ/mole.
- The increase can be noticed in mercury’s ionisation enthalpy.
- The greater stability of full-filled d-orbitals explains the high enthalpy.
- Metal has an extremely high surface tension.
Chemical Properties of Mercury
Chemical properties of Mercury are as follows:
- Mercury is a metal with a lower reactivity.
- It is unaffected by the presence of oxygen in the air.
- Some acids react with mercury but does not react with acids like dilute sulfuric acid which will form sulfate and nitrate as product.
Hg+2H2SO4→HgSO4+SO2+2H2O
2Hg+2HNO3→2HgNO3+H2
- Aqua regia and concentrated nitric acid can be used to dissolve mercury.
- Mercury when react with metals like sodium, gold, and silver will form product as amalgams.
Hg+Na/Ag/Au→NaHg/AgHg/AuHg
- When aluminium react with mercury, it will form aluminium oxide layer which will protect metal from rusting.
4AlHg+3O2→2Al2O3+4Hg
Density of Mercury
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Mercury has a density of 13545.848 kg/m3 at 20 degrees Celsius. It is a metal which is very dense and heavy at room temperature.
- However, its density is 13.5 g/ml.
- The density of mercury is 13.5 times denser than the density of water, as the density of water is just 1 g/ml.
- This makes a small amount of mercury very heavier.
- The element has been used for thousands of years.
- Mercury is used as the primary standard barometer.
- The density of mercury is calculated in the range of 0.1oC.
- It is used to determine the volume of a small capacity compound.
Read More:
| Class 10 Chemistry Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Transuranium Element | Colligative properties | Mole fraction |
| Cathode and Anode | Activation energy | Oxidizing Agent |
Ore of Mercury
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For thousands of years, the element mercury has been known. Cinnabar, the most important ore, was used to teach people how to create this metal.
- When heated, Cinnabar releases mercury as a vapour, which is then cooled and collected as liquid mercury.
- Some compounds, such as mercuric chloride – corrosive sublimate – are known to be deadly and are employed to eliminate pests.
- Chemicals, such as mercurous chloride – calomel – are used in medicine to treat skin rashes.
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Environmental Effects of Mercury
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Some microbes convert mercury into methylmercury. Methyl mercury is a water-soluble chemical that is readily absorbed by biological organisms. As a result, mercury penetrates the food chain and has an impact on various creatures.
- This causes the death of countless organisms, disrupting the natural balance.
- Mercuric compounds are non-biodegradable; hence, they pile up in the environment.
- The environment is very sensitive to the deposit of such harmful heavy metals.
- It can cause nervous system disruption.
- People might suffer from allergic reactions like skin rashes, tiredness, and headache as they will water with high mercury level.
Uses of Mercury
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Various uses of mercury are as follows:
- Mercury is used for creation of fluorescent lamps.
- Mercuric chloride is used as an insecticide such as rat poison.
- The compound is used to create skin ointments.
- The compound mercuric sulphate is used in organic chemistry as catalyst.
- It is used as electrode in electrochemical measurements.
Things to Remember
- Mercury also known as quick silvery is liquid at room temperature.
- It is very dangerous and poisonous metal, but it can harm little if swallowed from a broken thermometer.
- The melting point of mercury is (– 38.9 °C) and boiling point of mercury is (356.6 °C).
- There are 12 isotopes of Mercury.
- Mercury is mainly used in preparation of agricultural and industrial fungicides.
Sample Questions
Ques: What are the uses of Mercury as a chemical element? (5 marks)
Ans: The following are some of the many uses for mercury metal:
- Thermometers, which are used to measure the temperature of bodies and things, contain mercury.
- Mercuric sulphide is the chemical compound that gives vermillion its colour.
- Some mercury compounds are used in explosives.
- The corrosive sublimate mercuric chloride HgCl2 is used as a disinfectant and an insecticide, such as rat poison (rodenticides).
- As a skin ointment, a variety of mercury compounds are used.
- It’s used as a catalyst in a wide range of chemical reactions.
- Mercury is used in the gold mining process as well.
Ques: Explain how mercury affects people’s health and the environment? (5 marks)
Ans: Mercury has a number of negative health impacts which are as follows.
- Mercury is a volatile metal; it can enter the body by inhalation if it breaks from damaged thermometers.
- If there is a large amount of it on the skin, it can cause a variety of disorders in the body.
- Mercury is a very hazardous metal that can cause rashes and allergic responses on the skin.
- Mercury can induce headaches and harm to the body’s neurological system.
- It has the potential to create genetic abnormalities and changes in a person’s genetic DNA.
- Mercury has been shown to have a harmful impact on reproductive health.
- Mercury can also cause eyesight alterations, memory loss, muscular injury, and muscle incoordination.
Ques: What is the nature of mercury? (2 marks)
Ans: Mercury is rarely found in its pure form in nature. It’s a liquid metal, however it’s most commonly found in compounds and inorganic salts. Mercury is obtained as a cinnabar ore or as a sulphide. Throughout history, cinnabar deposits have been the source ores for the commercial exploitation of metallic mercury.
Ques: Is it harmful to touch Mercury? (2 marks)
Ans: Mercury is a highly toxic substance to which people can be exposed in a variety of ways. If you consume anything like a broken thermometer, it will mostly pass through your body with very little absorption. If you contact it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not enough to cause harm.
Ques: State two different compounds of Mercury and there uses? (2 marks)
Ans: Two different compounds of Mercury are:
- Mercuric chloride – corrosive sublimate – are known to be deadly and are employed to eliminate pests.
- Mercurous chloride – calomel – are used in medicine to treat skin rashes.
Ques: A 20ml sample of mercury has a mass of 270g. Calculate the density of mercury? (2 marks)
Ans: Density = Mass/volume
- Density = 270g/20ml
- Density of mercury element = 13.50 g/ml
Ques: Explain the harmful effect of mercury on environment? (4 marks)
Ans: The harmful effects of mercury are as follows:
- Mercuric compounds do not biodegrade, they accumulate in the environment.
- When such dangerous heavy metals are deposited, the ecosystem is extremely vulnerable.
- It may interfere with the nervous system.
- People exposed to excessive mercury levels may experience adverse reactions such as headaches, fatigue, and skin rashes.
- It will damage the functioning of brain.
- Mercury will alter the DNA and chromosome.
Ques: A 10ml sample of mercury has a mass of 200g. Calculate the density of mercury? (2 marks)
Ans: Density = Mass/volume
- Density = 200g/10ml
- Density of mercury element = 20 g/ml
Ques: Explain the physical properties of mercury? (3 marks)
Ans: The physical properties of mercury are as follows:
- Mercury is a silver-colored, glossy liquid metal.
- The compound has a density of 13.6 g/cm3 at 20 degrees Celsius.
- Its boiling point, which is 356.6 degrees Celsius, is quite high.
- The compound's electrical configuration is 4f145d106s2.
- Three distinct ionization enthalpies are displayed by Mercury: 1004 KJ/mole, 1796 KJ/mole, and 3294 KJ/mole.
- The ionization enthalpy of mercury shows a rise.
Ques: Give reaction of mercury with metals? (2 marks)
Ans: When mercury react with metals like sodium, gold, and silver, it will form product as amalgams.
Hg+Na/Ag/Au→NaHg/AgHg/AuHg
Ques: Explain the chemical properties of mercury? (3 marks)
Ans: The chemical properties of mercury are as follows:
- Mercury is a metal with a lower reactivity.
- It is unaffected by the presence of oxygen in the air.
- Some acids react with mercury.
- Aqua regia and concentrated nitric acid can be used to dissolve mercury.
- Sulphur can also reacts with mercury.
Ques. Name isotopes of mercury? (2 marks)
Ans: The isotopes of mercury are as follows:
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196Hg (0.15 %),
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198Hg (9.97 %),
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199Hg (16.87 %),
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200Hg (23.10 %),
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201Hg (13.18 %),
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202Hg (29.86 %)
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204Hg (6.87 %)
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