CameraIcon
CameraIcon
SearchIcon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

WHY IS MERCURY CALLED A METAL THOUGH IT IS IN ITS LIQUID FORM AT ROOM TEMPERATURE?

Open in App
Solution

Mercury is also called as liquid silver, this is the only metal which is liquid at room temperature.

Main reason for mercury to be a liquid at room temperature is because of its bonding structure is weaker than of most metals. The electron that spin around mercury nuclei don't easily maintain linkages with other mercury atoms at standard temperatures.

A metal is full of bonds between the atoms that make it up and that determines a material's melting point which has everything to do with energy associated with the bonds. The energy of a bond in mercury is very low, so it tends to disorganize at lower temperature.

Liquid mercury conducts electricity and it is used in barometers and thermometers. It is poisonous


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
0
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Elements
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon