Wikijunior:The Elements/Mercury
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
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[edit] What does it look, feel, taste, or smell like?
Mercury is a silvery metal that is liquid at room temperature. It is very dense, which means that it is very heavy even if you don't have very much of it. One tablespoon of mercury would weigh almost 8 ounces (230 grams)!
[edit] How was it discovered?
Mercury has been known since ancient times. It was known to the Chinese and Hindus. In fact, a Chinese emperor's tomb had a map of China inside, with the seas made of mercury.
[edit] Where did its name come from?
Mercury is named after the Roman god Mercurius. We call him Mercury. It is also called quicksilver because of its appearance. Its Latin name is hydgargyrum, which means "liquid silver".
Did You Know?
- Mercury is one of the only metals that is liquid at room temperature.
- Half of the world's mercury comes from Spain and Italy.
- Mercury has been found in 3,500 year-old Egyptian tombs.
[edit] Where is it found?
Mercury is very rare, and is mostly found in some rocks like cinnabar. Most of the mercury reserves on Earth have been mined out so that there isn't mercury left in them.
[edit] What are its uses?
Mercury used to be used in thermometers, but it isn't anymore.
Mercury is used in compact fluorescent bulbs, streetlamps, and advertising signs.
The antiseptic mercuric chloride (Hg2Cl2), also known as calomel, is used to kill bacteria. Mercuric sulfide (HgS) is used to make vermilion, a red pigment used in paint. Mercuric batteries are made from mercuric oxide (HgO).
[edit] Is it dangerous?
Yes. Mercury is very poisonous. Mercury can enter the body through the respiratory tract, digestive system or skin. Mercury builds up in the body which eventually leads to illness or death. Mercury poisoning is called Mercuralism. Mercury pollution is a problem because it can get into our food, especially seafood.
