Richard Pei

10.7.11
Science Fernalld 4th Period
Adopt an Element Fact Sheet
Element name: Mercury
Symbol: Hg
Atomic Number: 80 Atomic Mass: 200.59 amu
Number of Protons: 80 Number of Neutrons: 121 Number of Electrons: 80
Melting Point: -38.87C Boiling Point: 356.58C Natural Phase: Liquid
Cost: $48 for 100g (pure)
Classification: Metal Family: Transition Metals
Origin of Name: This element was named after the Roman god and planet, Mercury.
The symbol, Hg, comes from hydragyrum, a Latinized form of the Greek word
hydragyros, which means water combined with silver (liquid silver).
Discovery: Mercury has been known since ancient times.
Interesting Information:
1. Mercury was known to the ancient Chinese and Hindus and was found in Egyptian
tombs dating back to 1500 B.C. In ancient days, it was thought to prolong life,
heal fractures, and promote good health.
2. Mercury is extremely rare and is not found easily in the earths crust.
3. It is found in fish and shellfish because of their natural tendency to accumulate it
in their bodies.
4. It is a neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and bone.
5. It is the main ingredient in dental amalgams, but there is a controversy whether
it is safe or not. Chewing gum for just 10 minutes with a dental amalgam
releases substantial amounts of mercury vapor.
6. Mercury has many uses that include: thermometers, sphygmomanometers,
barometers, diffusion pumps, coulometers, electron tubes, mercury arc rectifiers,
mercury-vapor lamps, advertising signs, fluorescent lamps, coolants in nuclear
reactors, gold and silver refinement, electrochemistry, mercury switches,
electrolysis, batteries, catalysts, insecticides, dental amalgams, liquid mirror
telescopes, and preservative in vaccines.
7. Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Along with bromine,
it is one of only 2 liquids on the periodic table. Mercury is also called quicksilver
since it is seemingly liquid silver.
8. Spain and Italy produce about half of the worlds supply of mercury.
9. Mercury is poisonous and can enter the body through the respiratory system, the
digestive system, or directly through the skin. It accumulates in the body,
eventually causing severe illness or death.
10. Mercury forms useful compounds with other elements. Mercuric chloride (HgCl 2)
is a very poisonous salt and was once used to disinfect wounds. Mercurous
chloride (Hg2Cl2), also called calomel, is an antiseptic used to kill bacteria.
Mercuric sulfide (HgS) is used to make a red paint pigment called vermillion.
Mercuric oxide (HgO) is used to make mercury batteries.
References:
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http://www.hobart.k12.in.us/ksms/PeriodicTable/mercury.htm
http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele080.html
http://www.chemicool.com/elements/mercury.html
Merriam Websters Intermediate Dictionary

My character is a thermometer. I think a thermometer represents mercury well because

mercury is often used in thermometers to calculate the temperature most accurately
and because of its high density.