Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Mercury

Atomic number 80 means that every Mercury nucleus contains 80 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Mercury.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 80 means that every Mercury nucleus contains 80 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Mercury.

Mercury (Hg) is chemical element 80. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a liquid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in measurement, lamps and chemical synthesis.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 80 means that every Mercury nucleus contains 80 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Mercury.

Keep exploring

→ Mercury · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

80HgMercury
Mercury · Hg · Z = 80

Mercury (Hg) is chemical element 80. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a liquid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Mercury (Hg) is chemical element 80. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a liquid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in measurement, lamps and chemical synthesis.

What its position in the table tells us

Mercury sits in period 6, group 12 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.