80
Hg
Mercury
202
Mercury (Hg)
Transition MetalGroup 12Period 6d-block-block
Mercury is a chemical element with symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum (/haɪˈdrɑːrdʒərəm/). A heavy, silvery d-block element, 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.
Latin name: Hydrargyrum
Atomic Number
80
Atomic Mass
202 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Liquid
Electron Config.
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s²
General
SymbolHg
Atomic Number80
Atomic Mass202 g/mol
CategoryTransition Metal
Group12
Period6
Blockd-block
Electron Configuration[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s²
Valence Electrons12
Coloursilvery liquid metal
Appearancesilvery
CAS NumberCAS7439-97-6
Physical Properties
Phase (STP)Liquid
Density13.534 g/cm³
Melting Point-38.83°C · -37.89°F · 234.32 K
Boiling Point356.73°C · 674.11°F · 629.88 K
Atomic Properties
Atomic Radius209 pm
Electronegativity2 Pauling
Ionization Energy1007 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+2, +1, +4
Ion ChargeHg+/Hg2+/Hg4+
Thermodynamic
Molar Heat27.983 J/(mol·K)
Crystal Structure
Crystal Structurerhombohedral (solid)
Nuclear & Hazards
Half-lifestable
Abundance
In Universe0.000002%
In Sun0.0000018%
In Earth's Crust0.000008%
Discovery & History
Discovered Byknown in ancient times
Isotopes of Mercury
| Isotope | Abundance | Half-life | Decay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hg-196 | 0.15% | Stable | — |
| Hg-198 | 9.97% | Stable | — |
| Hg-199 | 16.87% | Stable | — |
| Hg-200 | 23.1% | Stable | — |
| Hg-201 | 13.18% | Stable | — |
| Hg-202 | 29.86% | Stable | — |
| Hg-204 | 6.87% | Stable | — |