What are the properties of mercury?
Mercury has a melting point of -38.9oC, a boiling point of 356.7oC, and is the only metal to remain in liquid form at room temperature. Droplets of liquid mercury are shiny and silver-white with a high surface tension, appearing rounded when on flat surfaces.
What are 5 mercury properties?
Physical Properties
| Atomic number | 80 |
|---|---|
| Melting point, °C | −38.89 |
| Boiling point at 101.3 kPa, °C | 357.3 |
| Density at 0°C, g/cm3 | 13.5956 |
| Relative abundance, % | 5 × 10−5 |
What is mercury and its uses?
Elemental or metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal, historically referred to as quicksilver, and is liquid at room temperature. It is used in older thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs and some electrical switches.
What is the principal use of mercury?
In agriculture it is used as a fungicide, in medicine it was sometimes employed as a topical antiseptic in concentrations of one part per 2,000 parts of water, and in the chemical industry it serves as a catalyst in the manufacture of vinyl chloride and as a starting material in the production of other mercury …
Is mercury explosive?
Mercury(II) fulminate, or Hg(CNO)2, is a primary explosive. It is highly sensitive to friction, heat and shock and is mainly used as a trigger for other explosives in percussion caps and detonators….Mercury(II) fulminate.
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Explosive data | |
| Shock sensitivity | High |
| Friction sensitivity | High |
| Detonation velocity | 4250 m/s |
Is mercury toxic?
Exposure to mercury – even small amounts – may cause serious health problems, and is a threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life. Mercury may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
How do humans use mercury?
Mercury can be used to make thermometers, barometers and other scientific instruments. Mercury conducts electricity and is used to make silent, position dependent switches. Mercury vapor is used in streetlights, fluorescent lamps and advertising signs.
What are three uses for mercury?
Although many liquids could be used in pressure measuring devices, mercury is used because its high density requires less space. It is also a good conductor of electricity, so it is a useful component of electrical switches. Mercury is also used in dental fillings, paints, soaps, batteries, and fluorescent lighting.