Mercury
TRANSITION METAL · GROUP 12 · PERIOD 6
80
Hg
Mercury
200.59
Atomic Data
| Atomic Number | 80 |
| Symbol | Hg |
| Atomic Weight | 200.59 u |
| Density (STP) | 13.534 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | −38.83 °C (234.32 K) |
| Boiling Point | 356.73 °C (629.88 K) |
| Electronegativity | 2.0 (Pauling) |
| Electron Config. | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 |
| Oxidation States | +1, +2 |
| Phase at STP | Liquid |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Period / Group | 6 / 12 |
| CAS Number | 7439-97-6 |
Electron Configuration
{{BOHR_SVG}}
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2
| Shell | n | Subshell | Electrons | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | 1 | 1s | 2 | 2 |
| L | 2 | 2s | 2 | 4 |
| L | 2 | 2p | 6 | 10 |
| M | 3 | 3s | 2 | 12 |
| M | 3 | 3p | 6 | 18 |
| M | 3 | 3d | 10 | 28 |
| N | 4 | 4s | 2 | 30 |
| N | 4 | 4p | 6 | 36 |
| N | 4 | 4d | 10 | 46 |
| N | 4 | 4f | 14 | 60 |
| O | 5 | 5s | 2 | 62 |
| O | 5 | 5p | 6 | 68 |
| O | 5 | 5d | 10 | 78 |
| P | 6 | 6s | 2 | 80 |
| Total | 80 | 80 | ||
Isotopes of Mercury
Mercury has seven naturally occurring stable isotopes. The most abundant is ²⁰²Hg, comprising 29.86% of all naturally occurring Mercury.
| Isotope | Symbol | Protons | Neutrons | Abundance | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury-196 | ¹⁹⁶Hg | 80 | 116 | 0.15 | Stable |
| Mercury-198 | ¹⁹⁸Hg | 80 | 118 | 9.97 | Stable |
| Mercury-199 | ¹⁹⁹Hg | 80 | 119 | 16.87 | Stable |
| Mercury-200 | ²⁰⁰Hg | 80 | 120 | 23.1 | Stable |
| Mercury-201 | ²⁰¹Hg | 80 | 121 | 13.18 | Stable |
| Mercury-202 | ²⁰²Hg | 80 | 122 | 29.86 | Stable |
| Mercury-204 | ²⁰⁴Hg | 80 | 124 | 6.87 | Stable |
Abundance & Occurrence
Mercury is present in Earth's crust at approximately 0.085 ppm by mass and at approximately 0.1 ppm by mass throughout the universe.
Earth's Crust (ppm by mass)
Mercury
0.085 ppm
Silicon (ref.)
277,000 ppm
Oxygen (ref.)
461,000 ppm
Universe (ppm by mass)
Mercury
0.1 ppm
Helium (ref.)
230,000 ppm
Hydrogen (ref.)
739,000 ppm
Discovery & History
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Safety & Handling
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Mercury in the Real World
Real-World Uses
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Downloadable Resources
Free periodic table reference sheets for classrooms, study sessions, and laboratory use.