Mercury [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

The chemical symbol for mercury is Hg

Physical Properties of Mercury:

Properties Details
Atomic Number80
Atomic Radius149 pm
Atomic SymbolHg
Boiling Point356.73 °C
ColorSilver-white
Density13.534 g/cm³
Electrical ConductivityPoor conductor of electricity
Magnetic PropertiesDiamagnetic
Melting Point-38.83 °C
Molar Mass200.59 g/mol
OdorOdorless
SolubilityInsoluble in water
StateLiquid
Surface Tension0.465 N/m
Thermal Conductivity8.3 W/m·K
Viscosity1.55 mPa·s (at 20 °C)

Chemical Properties of Mercury:

Properties Details
AlloysForms alloys with other metals (e.g., amalgams)
Coordination Number2 (typically forms linear complexes)
CorrosionCorrosive to most metals except noble metals
Electron Affinity0.0000 eV
FlammabilityNon-flammable
Ionization Energy10.4375 eV
Oxidation States+1, +2, +4
ReactivityRelatively unreactive with most acids
Reactivity with OxygenReacts slowly to form a thin oxide layer
Solubility in WaterInsoluble
StabilityRelatively stable under normal conditions
ToxicityHighly toxic

Reactions of mercury with Alkali Metal

Alkali MetalReaction with Mercury
Lithium (Li)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction
Sodium (Na)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction
Potassium (K)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction
Rubidium (Rb)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction
Cesium (Cs)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction
Francium (Fr)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction

 

 

Alkali MetalReaction with MercuryChemical Equation
Lithium (Li)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction2Li + Hg   react and convert into  Li2Hg
Sodium (Na)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction2Na + Hg   react and convert into  Na2Hg
Potassium (K)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction2K + Hg   react and convert into  K2Hg
Rubidium (Rb)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction2Rb + Hg   react and convert into  Rb2Hg
Cesium (Cs)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction2Cs + Hg   react and convert into  Cs2Hg
Francium (Fr)   formation of amulgum occur  on reaction2Fr + Hg   react and convert into  Fr2Hg

Reactions of mercury with Non-Metal

Non-Metal Chemical Equation
Hydrogen (H) no product formed
Carbon (C)Hg(l) + C(s)   react and convert into  HgC2(s)
Nitrogen (N) no product formed
Oxygen (O) no product formed
Fluorine (F)Hg(g) + F2(g)   react and convert into  HgF2(s)
Chlorine (Cl)Hg(g) + Cl2(g)   react and convert into  HgCl2(s)
Bromine (Br)Hg(g) + Br2(g)   react and convert into  HgBr2(s)
Iodine (I)Hg(g) + I2(g)   react and convert into  HgI2(s)

Reactions of mercury with Metalloid

Metalloid Chemical Equation
Boron (B) no product formed
Silicon (Si) no product formed
Germanium (Ge) no product formed
Arsenic (As)Hg(g) + As(s)   react and convert into  Hg3As2(s)
Antimony (Sb)Hg(g) + Sb(s)   react and convert into  HgSb2(s)
Tellurium (Te) no product formed

 

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