how is mercury a metal. what properties does it has to be called a metal?
Most of the atoms in the periodic table are classified as metals except halogens, noble gases, metalloids and hydrogen.These elements (metals) have good heat and electrical conductivity, tend to lose electrons etc. Mercury comes under transition metals according to its electronic configuration.Mercury also shows the properties of metals with the only exception that it is liquid at room temperature.Hence, it is considered a metal.