Mercury also called quicksilver, is an element that has the symbol Hg (Greek: hydrargyrum, meaning watery or liquid silver) with an atomic number of 80. A heavy, silvery metal, mercury is one of the elements that are liquid at or near room temperature. Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers and other scientific apparatus, though many concerns about the element’s toxicity have led to said thermometers being largely phased out in favor of alcohol-filled or digital. It remains in use in scientific study and research applications, and in dentistry. Mercury is mostly obtained by reduction from cinnabar, a mineral. Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world and it is harmless in an insoluble form, such as mercuric sulfide, but it is poisonous in soluble forms such as mercuric chloride or methylmercury. Watch the video clip above for great footage of mercury vapor.
6 Comments
sillmasays...I've always liked mercury, too bad it's so toxic and evaporates easily. Otherwise I'd like to have a swimming pool full of that stuff =)
kronosposeidonsays...*science
siftbotsays...Adding video to channels (Science) - requested by kronosposeidon.
blutruthsays...I remember my Grandpa would tell me about how he would play with mercury with his bare hands when he was a child. He died in his early 70's.
notarobotsays...*related=http://videosift.com/video/How-Mercury-Causes-Neurodegeneration-Brain-Damage
siftbotsays...How Mercury Causes Neurodegeneration (Brain Damage) has been added as a related post - related requested by notarobot.
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