Mercury is a heavy, silvery-white metal that is liquid at room temperature. Properties Physical properties An old pound coin (density ~7.6 g/cm 3) floats on mercury due to the combination of the buoyant force and surface tension.

Electricity passed through mercury vapor in a fluorescent lamp produces short-wave ultraviolet light, which then causes the phosphor in the tube to fluoresce, making visible light. It remains in use in scientific research applications and in amalgam for dental restoration in some locales. Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers, sphygmomanometers, float valves, mercury switches, mercury relays, fluorescent lamps and other devices, although concerns about the element's toxicity have led to the phasing out of such mercury-containing instruments. Exposure to mercury and mercury-containing organic compounds is toxic to the nervous system, immune system and kidneys of humans and other animals mercury poisoning can result from exposure to water-soluble forms of mercury (such as mercuric chloride or methylmercury) either directly or through mechanisms of biomagnification. The red pigment vermilion is obtained by grinding natural cinnabar or synthetic mercuric sulfide. Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world mostly as cinnabar ( mercuric sulfide). A heavy, silvery d-block element, mercury is the only metallic element that is known to be liquid at standard temperature and pressure the only other element that is liquid under these conditions is the halogen bromine, though metals such as caesium, gallium, and rubidium melt just above room temperature. It is also known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum ( / h aɪ ˈ d r ɑːr dʒ ər ə m/ hy- DRAR-jər-əm) from the Greek words hydor (water) and argyros (silver). Mercury is a chemical element it has symbol Hg and atomic number 80.

Color code periodic table