![]() The video below is from the University of Nottingham's periodic videos project. The most common use currently is as a catalyst in chemical industries. Amalgums are useful in extracting gold from ores, in dental fillings with silver, and extending the lifetime of zinc and cadmium batteries. Mercury forms alloys with other metals such as gold, silver, zinc and cadmium, known as amalgums. Many of these uses are being phased out however, due to the aforementioned toxic properties of mercury. Due to its electrical conductivity it is used to make silent switches, while its vapor form makes it useful in streetlights and fluorescent lamps. ![]() Mercury is used in many scientific instruments such as thermometers and barometers. ![]() The switch turns on when its body is tilted such that the mercury falls under gravity and touches the contacts, completing the circuit. A mercury switch on millimetre graph paper. To read more about mercury as a pollutant and its effects on the environment, visit Mercury (pollutant).įigure 2. Mercury is a pollutant that is released by humans in a variety of ways however, with humans contributing anywhere from 50-90% of the mercury present in the environment. It is not typically found free in nature, at least not in harmful enough levels to harm humans. It accumulates in the body and can be harmful to internal organs and possibly cause death. Mercury is a toxic element which can enter the body through open wounds, inhalation, or ingestion. Some useful properties of mercury include: Atomic weight Its existence has been known for thousands of years, having been found in 3500 year old Egyptian tombs. Mercury ( Hg) is the 80 th element on the periodic table, is classified as a metal, and is liquid at room temperature. Mercury, atomic number of 80 and atomic weight of 200.592. ![]()
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