80

Hg

Gold
196.966569 (4)
 Historical Information

Mercury was known to ancient Chinese and Hindus before 2000 BC and was found in tubes in Egyptian tombs dated from 1500 BC It was used to forma amalgams of other metals around 500 BC. The Greeks used mercury in ointments and the Romans used it, unfortunately for those using it, in cosmetics.
Basic Information Shells
  • Name:Mercury
  • Symbol: Hg
  • Atomic number: 80
  • Atomic weight: 196.966569 (4)
  • Standard state: solid at 298 K
  • Group in periodic table: 12
  • Group name:none
  • Period in periodic table: 6
  • Block in periodic table: d-block
  • Classification: Metallic
 Mercury
Uses Trivia
  • used in laboratories for making thermometers
  • mercury is used in mercury-vapour lamps
  • sed for mercury switches

Organic mercury compounds are important - and dangerous. Methyl mercury is a lethal pollutant found in rivers and lakes. The main source of pollution is industrial wastes settling to the river and lake bottoms.