Hg
Mercury
Atomic number: 80Mass: 200.592 uCategory: Transition Metal
About Mercury
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at standard room temperature and pressure. It is a heavy, silvery d-block element. Mercury is toxic to living beings. The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland was inspired by hat makers who developed mercury poisoning.
Properties
Period
6
Group
12
Block
D
Category
Transition Metal
Electronegativity
2.00 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
1007.1 kJ/mol
Melting Point
234 K (-39°C)
Boiling Point
630 K (357°C)
Density
13.534 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+1, +2
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s²
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:32e⁻
Shell 5:18e⁻
Shell 6:2e⁻
Real-World Uses
Thermometers (old)
Fluorescent lamps
Dental amalgam (old)
Scientific instruments
Gold mining
Fun Fact
The term 'Mad Hatter' comes from 19th-century hatmakers who used mercury in felt-making and suffered neurological damage from the fumes!