Mercury is a fascinating element, and although it is poisonous, children can learn a lot of cool facts about it. Let’s delve into some fun facts about mercury for kids.
1. Mercury is 100% liquid at room temperature
Unlike other metals that we know, mercury does not exist as a solid in its natural form. At normal room temperature, it exists as a liquid. In fact, it is one of the few elements that are liquid in their natural state.
2. It is a metal
Many people do not realize this, but Mercury is a metal. It belongs to the group of metals known as transition metals, and it has several unique properties that distinguish it from other metals.
3. It is silver-colored
Mercury has a shiny, silver-like appearance, much like most other metals. However, it is a lot denser than the other metals we know, and it is very heavy too.
4. It is very poisonous
We mentioned earlier that Mercury is poisonous, and this is crucial for kids to know. Exposure to large quantities of mercury can lead to severe health problems, such as kidney failure, brain damage, and even death. It is essential to handle it with caution.
5. It was used in Thermometers
One of the most common uses of Mercury was in thermometers. The liquid metal would expand and contract based on the surrounding temperature. That way, it was used as a measuring tool to determine how hot or cold the temperature was.
6. It was named after the planet Mercury
The element Mercury was named after the planet Mercury, which is the closest planet to the sun. Both the planet and the metal have the same symbol, which is Hg.
7. It has a low boiling point
Mercury has a low boiling point compared to most other metals. In fact, it is only one of two metals that are liquid at normal room temperature, and it has a boiling point of 356.7 degrees Celsius.
8. It was used in alchemy
Mercury was one of the main elements used in alchemy, which was an ancient practice that aimed to turn ordinary metals like lead into gold. At the time, it was believed that Mercury was capable of performing magical transformation.
9. It is used in dental fillings
Even though Mercury is poisonous, it is still used in dentistry to make dental fillings. When combined with other materials like silver, tin, and copper, it is safe enough to be used in small amounts in the mouth.
