What is Mercury? Origin / Meaning of the name Mercury
Mercury was named after the Roman god "Mercurius", the messenger of Jupiter who was the god of commerce. The Latin word "Mercurius" is thought to have derived from the Latin 'merx' meaning merchandise. The symbol Hg is from the Greek words hydor and argyros, meaning "water-silver", because it is a liquid like water and has silvery metallic sheen.

What is Mercury? Properties of Mercury
A heavy metal of high luster and is an especially good conductor of heat and electricity.

What is Mercury? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Mercury Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a liquid at room temperature. Mercury is classified as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 - 12 of the Periodic Table. Elements classified as Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.For additional facts and information refer to Mercury Properties. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

Facts about the History of the Discovery of Mercury Element
Known to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Indians and Chinese. Mercury is one of the metals referred to as one of the 'Metals of Antiquity'. The ancient 'Metals of Antiquity' together with their approximate dates of discovery and use are Gold (6000BC), Copper (9000BC), Silver (4000BC), Lead (6400BC), Tin (3000BC), Iron (1500BC) and Mercury (1500BC).

History and Uses of Mercury by the Ancients
Ancient people placed great value on Mercury. But what did they use it for? The history and uses of Mercury by the ancients include the following:

• The ancients used Mercury to purify gold and silver
• The reddish mineral Cinnabar which contained mercury and sulfur was used as a dye
• Mercury was also used in creams and ointments as cosmetics
• It was believed that Mercury could heal and promote good health and it was therefore used as a medicine
• It was of great religious and alchemical importance in ancient times

What is Mercury? Occurrence of the Mercury Element
As a general overview of the element we can at first describe Mercury as a liquid. It is a liquid at room temperature and one of the 20 least common elements. It is a poisonous, metallic element. Mercury is occasionally found free in nature but usually occurs as the red sulfide ore, called cinnabar, or vermillion. The largest producer of mercury is the USA followed by Spain and Italy.  The mercury mines of Spain have long been famous.

Found as a native metal (rare)
Found in cinnabar, corderoite & livingstonite
Approx 50% comes from Spain and Italy

What is Mercury? Uses of Mercury
Mercury is extensively used in the construction of scientific instruments, such as the thermometer and barometer, and as a liquid over which to collect gases which are soluble in water. The readiness with which it alloys with Silver and Gold makes it very useful in the extraction of these elements.

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 1×10^-7%
% in Sun 2×10^-6%
% in Meteorites 0.000025%
% in Earth's Crust 6.7×10^-6%
% in Oceans 5×10^-9%
% in Humans N/A

Medical Uses of Mercury - Health and Treatments
Interesting information is contained in the following table of Medical Uses of Mercury, Health and Treatments. Ammoniated mercury is a compound used as an antiseptic skin and ophthalmic ointment, however, it has been replaced by more effective and safer agents
 

A useful reference providing information regarding the medical uses of Mercury, associated health issues and disorders and treatments using Mercury.

Associated Uses of Mercury
Thermometers
Barometers
Fluorescent lamps
Batteries
Medicine and Health Care
Chemical pesticides

What is Mercury? The Properties of the Mercury Element
Name of Element : Mercury
Symbol of Element : Hg
Atomic Number of Mercury : 80
Atomic Mass: 200.59 amu
Melting Point: -38.87 °C - 234.28 °K
Boiling Point: 356.58 °C - 629.73 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons in Mercury :  80
Number of Neutrons in Mercury : 121
Crystal Structure: Rhombohedral 
Density @ 293 K: 0.53 g/cm3
Color of Mercury : silvery-white

Mercury as on the Periodic Table
Check out Mercury on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Mercury as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide.

What is Mercury - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table
The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri  Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of  the "Periodic Table" in which Mercury is just one element that can be found.

Learn about what is Mercury with these fast facts...
These articles contain facts and information relating to Mercury and each of the other elements including the Periodic Symbol,  group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas.