Question

Mercury is a liquid non-metal at room temperature and pressure.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B

False

Mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at normal temperatures and pressure. Most metal atoms readily share valence electrons with other atoms. The electrons in a mercury atom are bound more tightly than usual to the nucleus. In fact, the s electrons are moving so fast and close to the nucleus they exhibit relativistic effects, behaving as if they were more massive than slower-moving electrons.