Periodic table / Mercury

Overview

Mercury is a chemical element with symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum (/haɪˈdrɑːrdʒərəm/). A heavy, silvery d-block element, mercury is the only metallic element that is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure; the only other element that is liquid under these conditions is bromine, though metals such as caesium, gallium, and rubidium melt just above room temperature.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Mercury is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2, with electron shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2.

Physical and chemical properties

Mercury is classified as a transition metal. It has an atomic mass of 200.592 and exists as a liquid at standard conditions, appearing as silvery.

Real-world uses of Mercury

As a transition metal, Mercury is typically used in alloys, industrial manufacturing, electronics, or as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Interesting facts about Mercury

• Mercury has the atomic number 80 and chemical symbol Hg.
• It belongs to period 6, group 12 of the periodic table.
• Mercury was known to humans since unknown, before 2000 BCE.

Explore Mercury interactively

Want to compare Mercury with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Hg to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.