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

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

The chemical symbol for mercury is Hg

Physical Properties of Mercury:

Properties Details
Atomic Number 80
Atomic Radius 149 pm
Atomic Symbol Hg
Boiling Point 356.73 °C
Color Silver-white
Density 13.534 g/cm³
Electrical Conductivity Poor conductor of electricity
Magnetic Properties Diamagnetic
Melting Point -38.83 °C
Molar Mass 200.59 g/mol
Odor Odorless
Solubility Insoluble in water
State Liquid
Surface Tension 0.465 N/m
Thermal Conductivity 8.3 W/m·K
Viscosity 1.55 mPa·s (at 20 °C)

Chemical Properties of Mercury:

Properties Details
Alloys Forms alloys with other metals (e.g., amalgams)
Coordination Number 2 (typically forms linear complexes)
Corrosion Corrosive to most metals except noble metals
Electron Affinity 0.0000 eV
Flammability Non-flammable
Ionization Energy 10.4375 eV
Oxidation States +1, +2, +4
Reactivity Relatively unreactive with most acids
Reactivity with Oxygen Reacts slowly to form a thin oxide layer
Solubility in Water Insoluble
Stability Relatively stable under normal conditions
Toxicity Highly toxic

Reactions of mercury with Alkali Metal

Alkali Metal Reaction 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 Metal Reaction with Mercury Chemical Equation
Lithium (Li)    formation of amulgum occur  on reaction 2Li + Hg   react and convert into  Li2Hg
Sodium (Na)    formation of amulgum occur  on reaction 2Na + Hg   react and convert into  Na2Hg
Potassium (K)    formation of amulgum occur  on reaction 2K + Hg   react and convert into  K2Hg
Rubidium (Rb)    formation of amulgum occur  on reaction 2Rb + Hg   react and convert into  Rb2Hg
Cesium (Cs)    formation of amulgum occur  on reaction 2Cs + Hg   react and convert into  Cs2Hg
Francium (Fr)    formation of amulgum occur  on reaction 2Fr + 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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