Revision 38019 of "Talk:Common phrases in different languages/table" on enwiki

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{|  border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="right" style="margin-left: 0.5em;"
|  colspan="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" |
{|  align="center" border="0"
|  colspan="2" align="center" | [[gold]] &ndash; '''mercury''' &ndash; [[thallium]]
|-
|  rowspan="3" valign="center" |
[[Cadmium|Cd]]<br> '''Hg'''<br>[[Ununbium|Uub]]<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;
|-
|  align="center" | [[Image:Hg-TableImage.png]]
<div align="right"><small>[[Periodic table (standard)|Full table]]</small></div>
|}
|-
!  colspan="2" align=center bgcolor="#ffc0c0" | '''<font color="blue">General'''</font>
|-
| [[List of elements by name|Name]], [[List of elements by symbol|Symbol]], [[List of elements by number|Number]]
| Mercury, Hg, 80
|-
| [[Chemical series]]
| [[transition metal]]s
|-
| [[periodic table group|Group]], [[periodic table period|Period]], [[periodic table block|Block]]
| [[group 12 element|12 (IIB)]], [[period 6 element|6]], [[d-block|d]]
|-
| [[Density]], [[Mohs hardness scale|Hardness]]
| liquid 13.579e3 [[kilogram per cubic metre|kg/m<sup>3</sup>]]<br/>solid @ -39<sup>o</sup>C 15.6e3 [[kilogram per cubic metre|kg/m<sup>3</sup>]]<br/> 1.5 Mohs
|-
| [[color|Appearance]]
|  align="center" | Silvery white<br>[[Image:Hg,80b.jpg|125px|]]
|-
!  colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#ffc0c0" | '''<font color="blue">Atomic properties'''</font>
|-
| [[Atomic weight]]
| 200.59 [[Atomic mass unit|amu]]
|-
| [[Atomic radius]] (calc.)
| 150 (171) [[picometre|pm]]
|-
| [[Covalent radius]]
| 149 pm
|-
| [[van der Waals radius]]
| 155 pm
|-
| [[Electron configuration]]
| <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[xenon|Xe]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>4[[f-orbital|f]]<sup>14</sup> 5d<sup>10</sup> 6[[s-orbital|s]]<sup>2</sup>
|-
| [[electron|e<sup>-</sup>]] 's per [[energy level]]
| 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2
|-
| [[Oxidation state]]s ([[Oxide]])
| '''2''', 1 (mildly [[Base (chemistry)|basic]])
|-
| [[Crystal structure]]
| Rhombohedral
|-
!  colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="ffc0c0"|'''<font color="blue">Physical properties'''</font>
|-
| [[State of matter]]
| Liquid ([[diamagnetic]])
|-
| [[Melting point]]
| [[1 E2 K|234.32 K]] (-37.89 °[[Fahrenheit|F]])
|-
| [[Boiling point]]
| 629.88 [[Kelvin|K]] (674.11 °F)
|-
| [[Molar volume]]
| 14.09 [[scientific notation|&times;]]10<sup>-6</sup> [[cubic metre per mole|m<sup>3</sup>/mol]]
|-
| [[Heat of vaporization]]
| 59.229 [[kilojoule per mole|kJ/mol]]
|-
| [[Heat of fusion]]
| 2.295 kJ/mol
|-
| [[Triple point]]
| 234.32 [[Kelvin|K]], 0.0002 [[Pascal|Pa]]
|-
| [[Speed of sound]]
| 1407 [[metre per second|m/s]] at 293.15 K
|-
!  colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="ffc0c0"|'''<font color="blue">Miscellaneous'''</font>
|-
| [[Electronegativity]]
| 2.00 ([[Pauling scale]])
|-
| [[Specific heat capacity]]
| 140 [[joule per kilogram-kelvin|J/(kg*K)]]
|-
| [[Electrical conductivity]]
| 1.04 10<sup>6</sup>/m [[ohm]]
|-
| [[Thermal conductivity]]
| 8.34 [[watt per metre-kelvin|W/(m*K)]]
|-
| 1<sup>st</sup> [[ionization potential]]
| 1007.1 kJ/mol
|-
| 2<sup>nd</sup> ionization potential
| 1810 kJ/mol
|-
| 3<sup>rd</sup> ionization potential
| 3300 kJ/mol
|-
!  colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="ffc0c0"|'''<font color="blue">Most stable isotopes'''</font>
|-
|  colspan="2" |
{|  border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="100%"
! [[Isotope|iso]]
! [[natural abundance|NA]]
! [[half-life]]
! [[decay mode|DM]]
! [[decay energy|DE]] [[mega|M]][[electron volt|eV]]
! [[decay product|DP]]
|-
| <sup>194</sup>Hg
| [[synthetic radioisotope|{syn.}]]
| 444 y
| [[electron capture|&epsilon;]]
| 0.040
| [[gold|<sup>194</sup>Au]]
|-
| <sup>196</sup>Hg
| 0.15%
|  colspan="4" | Hg is [[stable isotope|stable]] with 116 [[neutron]]s
|-
| <sup>198</sup>Hg
| 9.97%
|  colspan="4" | Hg is stable with 118 neutrons
|-
| <sup>199</sup>Hg
| 16.87%
|  colspan="4" | Hg is stable with 119 neutrons
|-
| <sup>200</sup>Hg
| 23.1%
|  colspan="4" | Hg is stable with 120 neutrons
|-
| <sup>201</sup>Hg
| 13.18%
|  colspan="4" | Hg is stable with 121 neutrons
|-
| <sup>202</sup>Hg
| '''29.86%'''
|  colspan="4" | Hg is stable with 122 neutrons
|-
| <sup>204</sup>Hg
| 6.87%
|  colspan="4" | Hg is stable with 124 neutrons
|}
|-
!  colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#ffc0c0" | <font size="-1" color="blue">[[SI]] units & [[standard temperature and pressure|STP]] are used except where noted.</font>
|}
'''Mercury''', also called '''quicksilver''', is a [[chemical element]] in the [[periodic table]] that has the symbol '''Hg''' (from the [[Latin language|Latin]] '''''hydrargyrum''''') and [[atomic number]] 80. A heavy, silvery, [[transition metal]], mercury is one of only two elements that are [[liquid]] at room temperature (the other is [[bromine]]). Mercury is used in [[thermometer]]s, [[barometer]]s and other scientific apparatuses. Mercury is mostly obtained by reduction from the [[mineral]] [[cinnabar]].

== Notable characteristics ==
Mercury is a relatively poor conductor of [[heat]] but is a good conductor of [[electricity]].

Mercury easily forms [[alloy]]s with almost all common metals, including [[gold]], [[aluminium]], and [[silver]], but not [[iron]]. [[Tellurium]] forms an alloy also, but it reacts slowly to form mercury telluride. The reaction of mercury with [[sulfur]] is more easily noticed. Any of these alloys is called an [[amalgam]].

This metal also has uniform volumetric thermal expansion, is less reactive than [[zinc]] and [[cadmium]] and does not displace [[hydrogen]] from [[acid]]s. Common [[oxidation state]]s of this element are +1 and +2. Rare instances of +3 mercury compounds exist.

The commercial unit for handling mercury is the "flask," which weighs 76 [[lb]].

== Applications ==
Most mercury is used for the manufacture of industrial chemicals or for electrical and electronic applications. Mercury is used in some [[thermometer]]s, especially ones which are used to measure high temperatures. Other uses:
*The ease with which it forms amalgams with gold has resulted in its use in gold recovery from ores.
*In addition to thermometers, mercury is used in [[barometer]]s, [[diffusion pump]]s, [[Mercury coulometer|coulometers]], and many other laboratory instruments.
*The [[triple point]] of mercury, -38.8344 &deg;C, is a fixed point used as a temperature standard for the [[International Temperature Scale]] (ITS-90).
*Gaseous mercury is used in [[mercury-vapor lamp]]s and some "[[neon sign]]" type advertising signs and [[fluorescent lamps]].
*Mercury compounds are used as a preservative in [[vaccine]]s and tattoo inks.

Miscellaneous uses; mercury switches, [[pesticide]]s, [[dental amalgam]]s/preparations, mercury cells for [[sodium hydroxide]] and [[chlorine]] production, anti-fouling [[paint]], [[electrode]]s in some types of [[electrolysis]], [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]] (mercury cells), and [[catalyst]]s.

== History ==
[[Image:HG-alchemical.PNG|left]]

Mercury was known to the ancient [[China|Chinese]] and [[Hindu]]s and was found in [[Egypt]]ian tombs that date from [[1500s BC]]. By [[500 BC]] it was used to make amalgams with other metals. The [[ancient Greece|ancient Greek]]s used mercury in ointments and the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] used it in [[cosmetics]].
Alchemists thought it to be the stuff from which all matter was formed and they also thought that when it hardened it turned into gold.

In the [[18th century|18th]] and [[19th century|19th]] centuries, mercury nitrate was used to remove [[fur]] from the animal skins from which [[felt hats]] were made. This caused many cases of brain damage among [[hatter]]s, or [[milliner]]s, leading, it is claimed, to the [[simile]] "as mad as a hatter", and thereby to the [[the Hatter|Mad Hatter]] of ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'' fame.

It was named by [[alchemist]]s after the Roman god [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]]. Its symbol '''Hg''' comes from ''hydrargyrum'', a [[Latin|Latinised]] form of the [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] word ''hydrargyros'', which was a compound word whose Greek roots meant 'water' and 'silver' &mdash; since it was liquid, like water, and yet had a silvery metallic sheen. Mercury is one of the few elements that has an [[alchemical symbol]] (left).

== Occurrence ==
[[Image:MercuryOreUSGOV.jpg|thumb|left|Mercury ore]]
A rare element in the earth's crust, mercury is found either as a native metal (rare) or in [[cinnabar]], [[corderoite]], [[livingstonite]], and other [[mineral]]s with cinnabar (Hg[[sulfur|S]]) being the most common ore. Approximately 50% of the global supply comes from [[Spain]] and [[Italy]], with much of the rest coming from [[Slovenia]], [[Russia]], and [[North America]]. The metal is extracted by heating cinnabar in a current of air and condensing the vapor.

== Compounds ==
The most important salts are:
*[[Mercury (I) chloride]] (AKA [[calomel]] and is sometimes still used in [[medicine]])
*[[Mercury (II) chloride]] (which is very [[corrosion|corrosive]], [[sublimation (chemistry)|sublimate]]s and is a violent poison)
*[[Mercury fulminate]], (a detonator widely used in [[explosive]]s), and
*[[Mercury (II) sulfide]] (AKA [[vermilion]] which is a high-grade paint pigment).

Organic mercury [[Chemical compound|compound]]s are also important. Laboratory test have found that electrical discharge causes the [[noble gases]] to combine with mercury vapor. These compounds are held together with [[van der Waals force]]s and result in HgNe, HgAr, HgKr, and HgXe. [[Methyl mercury]] is a dangerous compound that is widely found as a [[pollution|pollutant]] in water bodies and streams.

== Isotopes ==
There are seven stable [[isotope]]s of mercury with Hg-202 being the most abundant (29.86%). The longest-lived [[radioisotope]]s are Hg-194 with a [[half-life]] of 444 years, and Hg-203 with a half-life of 46.612 days. Most of the remaining radioisotopes have half-lifes that are less than a day.

== Precautions ==
Elemental, liquid mercury is slightly toxic, while its vapor, compounds and salts are highly [[toxic]] and have been implicated as causing [[brain]] and [[liver]] damage when ingested, inhaled or contacted. For this reason (along with exaggeration of the actual risk in the media), most [[thermometer]]s now use pigmented [[alcohol]] instead of mercury, though some medical thermometers still use mercury for reasons of accuracy.

The main dangers associated with elemental mercury are that at [[Standard temperature and pressure|STP]], mercury tends to [[oxidation|oxidize]] forming [[mercury (II) oxide]], and that if dropped or disturbed, mercury will form microscopic drops, increasing its surface area dramatically.

Even though it is far less toxic than its compounds, elemental mercury still poses significant environmental [[pollution]] and [[remediation]] problems due to the fact that mercury forms organic compounds inside of living organisms. Methyl mercury works its way up the [[food chain]], reaching high concentrations among populations of some species such as [[tuna]]. Mercury poisoning in humans will result from persistent consumption of tainted foodstuffs.

One of the most dangerous mercury compounds, [[dimethylmercury]], is so toxic that even a few microliters spilled on the skin can cause death.

Mercury is a [[bioaccumulate|bioaccumulative]] toxin that is easily absorbed through the [[skin]], respiratory and gastrointestinal tissues. [[Minamata disease]] is a form of mercury poisoning. Mercury attacks the [[central nervous system]] and [[endocrine system]] and adversely affects the mouth, gums, and teeth. High exposure over long periods of time will result in brain damage and ultimately death. It can pose a major health risk to the unborn [[fetus]]. Air saturated with mercury vapor at room temperature is at a concentration many times the toxic level, despite the high boiling point (the danger is increased at higher temperatures).

Mercury should therefore be handled with great care. Containers of mercury need to be covered securely to avoid spillage and evaporation. Heating of mercury or mercury compounds should always be done under a well-ventilated, filtered hood. Additionally, some oxides can decompose into elemental mercury, which immediately evaporates and may not be apparent.

==References==
*[http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/80.html Los Alamos National Laboratory &ndash; Mercury]

==External links==
*[http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Hg/index.html WebElements.com &ndash; Mercury]
*[http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/periodic/Hg.html EnvironmentalChemistry.com &ndash; Mercury]
*[http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/m1599.htm Material Safety Data Sheet &ndash; Mercury]
*[http://www.theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/Elements/080/index.s7.html Hg 80 Mercury]
*[http://baltimorechronicle.com/feb04_MercuryEmissions.shtml Mercury Air Pollution]

[[Category:Chemical elements]]
[[Category:Transition metals]]
[[category:toxicology]]

[[ca:Mercuri (element)]]
[[cs:Rtu&#357;]]
[[de:Quecksilber]]
[[eo:Hidrargo]]
[[es:Mercurio (elemento)]]
[[et:Elavhõbe]]
[[fi:Elohopea]]
[[fr:Mercure (élément)]]
[[he:&#1499;&#1505;&#1508;&#1497;&#1514;]]
[[io:Merkurio]]
[[it:Mercurio (elemento)]]
[[ja:&#27700;&#37504;]]
[[ku:Zîbeq]]
[[la:Hydrargyrum]]
[[lt:Gyvsidabris]]
[[mi:Konuoi]]
[[ms:Raksa]]
[[nl:Kwik]]
[[nn:Kvikksølv]]
[[no:Kvikksølv]]
[[pl:Rt&#281;&#263;]]
[[pt:Mercúrio]]
[[ru:&#1056;&#1090;&#1091;&#1090;&#1100;]]
[[simple:Mercury (element)]]
[[sl:Živo srebro]]
[[sr:&#1046;&#1080;&#1074;&#1072;]]
[[sv:Kvicksilver]]
[[uk:&#1056;&#1090;&#1091;&#1090;&#1100;]]
[[zh:&#27742;]]