Mendeleev فارسی

Mercury (Hg) – Element 80 of the periodic table

Mercury (symbol Hg) is element number 80 of the periodic table and belongs to the “Transition metal” category. Its atomic mass is about 200.59, and its phase under standard conditions is Liquid. This element sits in period 6 and group 12 of the periodic table, and its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2. The short electron configuration of Mercury is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s². Known uses of Mercury include Thermometers, Dentistry and Fluorescent lamps.

View in the interactive periodic tableAsk the AI assistant

Properties of Mercury

Atomic number
80
Chemical symbol
Hg
Atomic mass
200.59
Category
Transition metal
Period
6
Group
12
Phase
Liquid
Protons
80
Electrons
80
Neutrons (approx.)
121
Electron shells
2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2
Outer-shell electrons
2
Discovered
Prehistoric

Electron configuration of Mercury

The electron configuration of Mercury (Hg), with 80 electrons, is shown below. The last shell (shell 6) is highlighted:

Full configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s²
Short configuration
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s²
Last shell
6s²

What is electron configuration and how is it written?

Electron shells of Mercury

Distribution of 80 electrons of Mercury across shells K to P:

  1. K2
  2. L8
  3. M18
  4. N32
  5. O18
  6. P2

What is a transition metal?

The transition metals are the d-block elements: usually good conductors of heat and electricity, with several oxidation states, and they form colourful compounds and important catalysts.

Uses of Mercury

Frequently asked questions about Mercury

What is the atomic number of Mercury?

The atomic number of Mercury (Hg) is 80; that is, every atom of it has 80 protons.

What is the electron configuration of Mercury?

The electron configuration of Mercury (Hg) is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s²; in short form it is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s², and its last shell is 6s².

What is the chemical symbol of Mercury?

The chemical symbol of Mercury is Hg.

Where is Mercury located in the periodic table?

Mercury is located in period 6 and group 12 and belongs to the “Transition metal” category.

What is the atomic mass of Mercury?

The atomic mass of Mercury is about 200.59 (atomic mass units).

What is the phase of Mercury under normal conditions?

The phase of Mercury under standard conditions is Liquid.

What are the uses of Mercury?

Uses of Mercury include Thermometers, Dentistry and Fluorescent lamps.

Who discovered Mercury?

Mercury has been known to humans since prehistoric times and has no single discoverer.

Elements in the same category as Mercury (Transition metal)

Palladium (Pd)Silver (Ag)Cadmium (Cd)Hafnium (Hf)Tantalum (Ta)Tungsten (W)Rhenium (Re)Osmium (Os)Iridium (Ir)Platinum (Pt)Gold (Au)Rutherfordium (Rf)Dubnium (Db)Seaborgium (Sg)Bohrium (Bh)Hassium (Hs)Meitnerium (Mt)Darmstadtium (Ds)Roentgenium (Rg)Copernicium (Cn)

See all Transition metals

Mercury’s group 12 neighbours

Zinc (Zn)Cadmium (Cd)Copernicium (Cn)

Group 12 of the periodic table