Verified Document

Mercury Is Element Number 80 Thesis

Related Topics:

Mercury is element number 80 and is symbolized Hg. It appears on the periodic table in the far-right column of transition metals, right next to the poor metals. With only two electrons in its outer shell, it is incredibly reactive and volatile. There are also several radioactive isotopes of mercury, several of which are highly unstable: HG 197 has a half-life that is measured in hours, and HG 206 has a half life of less than nine minutes. The most unique thing about mercury is that it is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. it's melting -- or freezing -- point is a chilly -38.9 degrees Celsius (roughly -38.02 degrees Fahrenheit). It is also a very poor conductor of heat, which is one of the reasons it is so useful in thermometers -- it expands and contracts over a wide range in response to temperature changes.

Mercury is also very good at conducting electricity, and is often used in batteries. It is also very reactive with other metals, and can be used to make amalgams (alloys) with other metals. It is so good at this that it is often used to extract gold and other precious metal from raw ore. There are many compounds that can be made out of mercury that are both useful and dangerous. Currently, mercury poisoning of waterways and thereby fish -- and thereby creatures like humans that eat the fish -- is a very big issue in ecology and the human impact on the environment. It is also a highly volatile element, and vapors can accumulate rapidly from any sizeable amount of mercury, so it is best to work with it in a very well ventilated area and only after proper training.

In nature, mercury is usually found in cinnabar ore, which is made up of sulfur and mercury. Demonstrations of mercury forming used to be done by heating this ore, but due to the release of vapors this is no longer recommended. It was named mercury after the quick Roman messenger god, and is also called quicksilver because of the way it flows as a liquid.

Sources

Mercury." WebElements.com. http://webelements.com/mercury/

Mercury." Chemical Element.com. http://www.chemicalelement.com/element/mercury.html

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Mercury in Seafood Are High
Words: 3633 Length: 11 Document Type: Term Paper

The Food and Drug Administration has published recommendations that warn pregnant women, nursing mothers, women who might become pregnant, and children not to ear swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel due to high methylmercury content. They also warn women and children to limit their consumption of tuna (DHHS/EPA, 2004). However, if guidelines are followed, these women and children are told that they can eat limited amounts of low mercury fish. What

Dental Amalgam
Words: 3716 Length: 10 Document Type: Research Paper

Dental Amalgam The use of amalgam for dental fillings is nothing new. However, the use is also relatively controversial in some circles. While there are many companies and organizations that discuss the safety of amalgam fillings, there are many more that say these kinds of fillings are dangerous and should not be used. Which option is correct and whether it varies from person to person has to be considered. That is

Poisoning Our Planet if It
Words: 8834 Length: 20 Document Type: Term Paper

From the point-of-view of the variation and flexibility of the species such cultivated woody crops rank as no more than cornfields. While the tree farms are conveniently be stretched on the private lands, national forests those are considered priceless reservoirs of most of the biological diversity of the nation cannot expand so easily. The commercial logging is considered as the greatest danger for survival of the national forest system.

Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
Words: 11032 Length: 36 Document Type: Term Paper

Korotkoff Phase Should Be Used as the Endpoint for the Measurement of Diastolic Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Literature Selection and Identification Critical Appraisal of Selected Literature Five Korotkoff Phases Conducting System of Human Heart Two of the most common complicating problems seen during pregnancy are the appearance of gestational diabetes and of hypertension. Both of these conditions are more likely to occur during late pregnancy and both generally abate in the postpartum period. Nevertheless,

Snake River Is Part of
Words: 3074 Length: 12 Document Type: Term Paper

Among the animals found in these relatively lush riparian zones are elk, deer, bear, sheep, and mountain lions. In addition, smaller animals that live and feed along this biologically vital corridor may include birds (like the ring-necked pheasant, grouse, geese, falcons, great blue herons, hummingbirds and warblers), small mammals (such as longtail weasel and striped skunk), reptiles (garter snake and the western painted turtle), and amphibians (red-legged frog and

European and International Environmental Laws Research Essay
Words: 3095 Length: 11 Document Type: Essay

European and International Environmental Laws Research Essay How do practices of consumption, disposal, and disassembly of everyday electronic objects, such as personal computers and mobile phone effect on sustainable development? Organic chemicals and heavy metals are often found near plants where electronics are manufactured, as well as in garbage dumps where the electronics are disposed of later. This can be evidenced by the presence of lead, cadmium, mercury etc. which are

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now