Mercury

Element	Mercury
Symbol	Hg
Atomic Number	80
Molar Mass	200.59 gmol^-1
Electron Configuration	[Xe]4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s²
Normal State	liquid metal
Density @STP	13.55 g cm^-3
Melting Point	-39^oC
Boiling Point	357^oC
Stable Isotopes	¹⁹⁶Hg, ¹⁹⁸Hg, ¹⁹⁹Hg, ²⁰⁰Hg, ²⁰¹Hg, ²⁰²Hg, ²⁰⁴Hg
Atomic Radius	155 pm
Ionic Radius	112 (2+) pm
Electronegativity (Pauling)	2
Ionization Energy (1^st)	1007 kJ mol^-1
Ionization Energy (2^nd)	1810 kJ mol^-1
Ionization Energy (3^rd)	3300 kJ mol^-1
Molar Heat Capacity	28 J K^-1mol^-1
Standard Molar Entropy	75.8 J K^-1mol^-1
Enthalpy of Fusion	2.331 kJ mol^-1
Enthalpy of Vapourization	59.15 kJ mol^-1

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Mercury is a heavy, silvery-white liquid metal element
Mercury discovered by Ancient Chinese and Indians (before 2000 BCE)
Mercury is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum
Mercury is the only metallic element that is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure
The only other element that is liquid under these conditions is bromine, though metals such as caesium, gallium, and rubidium melt just above room temperature
Mercury is a poor conductor of heat, but a fair conductor of electricity compared to most metals
Mercury has a freezing point of -38.83 °C and a boiling point of 356.73 °C both the lowest of any stable metal
Solid mercury is malleable and ductile and can be cut with a knife
Mercury does not react with water, most acids (except strong oxidising acids)
Mercury reacts with solid sulfur flakes, which are used in mercury spill kits to absorb mercury (spill kits also use activated carbon and powdered zinc)
Mercury dissolves many other metals such as gold and silver to form amalgams
Mercury embrittlement is the most common type of liquid metal embrittlement.
Mercury is not allowed aboard aircraft under most circumstances because of the risk of it forming an amalgam with exposed aluminium parts
Mercury has been put to many uses in the past, but due to toxicity not so much now
Mercury is used primarily for the manufacture of industrial chemicals or for electrical and electronic applications
Mercury is used in thermometers
Mercury is used as gaseous mercury in fluorescent lamps (mercury-vapor lamps)
Mercury is used in liquid mirror telescopes
Mercury is a part of popular secondary reference electrode (called the calomel electrode) in electrochemistry
The Chloralkali process was the largest industrial use of mercury during the 20th century
Mercury was used as electrodes in some types of electrolysis, batteries (mercury cells), sodium hydroxide and chlorine production, handheld games, catalysts, insecticides
Mercury and most of its compounds are extremely toxic
"Mercury is among the most dangerous environmental toxins. Satisfactory alternatives to Hg in products are available, and it is therefore fitting to induce a ban."

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