Element 80

Mercury (Hg)

Transition metal · Period 6 · Group 12 · d-block

Mercury (Hg) is element 80 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 6, group 12 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 200.59 and is a liquid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
80
Symbol
Hg
Atomic mass
200.59 u
Category
Transition metals
Period
6
Group
12
Block
d-block
Phase at STP
liquid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2
Shorthand configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2
Oxidation states
-2, +1, +2

Physical properties

Melting point
234.32 K
Boiling point
629.88 K
Density
13.5336 g/cm3
Phase
liquid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
2
Atomic radius
171 pm
Covalent radius
132 pm
Van der Waals radius
155 pm
First ionization energy
1007 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
0 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Hg-202201.9706429.86%Stable

Common uses

  • Thermometers
  • Fluorescent lamps
  • Dental fillings
  • Batteries

Discovery

Discovered by
Known since antiquity
Country
Unknown

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