Question

Generally, metals are solid. Which one of the following metals is found in a liquid state at room temperature?

• A. $Na$
• B. $Fe$
• C. $Cr$
• D. $Hg$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $Hg$

Hint: There are some exceptions in the properties of metals like they exist in the liquid state at room temperature.

Step 1: Generally, metals have high melting and boiling point due to strong metallic bonding. Metals mostly exist in solid state at room temperature because of the high melting point. Metals like sodium, iron, chromium, etc. exist in the solid state at room temperature.

Step 2: Mercury is a metal that exists in the liquid state at room temperature. It is because of the weaker metallic bond compared to other metals that mercury exists in the liquid state. The electrons in the mercury metal are tightly bonded by the nucleus so the metallic bond is weak.

Final step: So, the correct option is (D) $Hg.$