Mercury (element)
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Mercury is a chemical element. Its symbol on the periodic table is Hg, and its atomic number is 80. It is a very poisonous silver-colored metallic liquid sometimes used in the manufacture of measuring instruments such as thermometers. It is also known as quicksilver
Before better compounds were discovered, some mercury compounds were used in medicine to kill germs on the skin.
Mercury was known to the ancients and its discoverer is unknown.
It is the only metal, and except for Bromine, the only element known that is liquid under what is known as "normal conditions" (room temperature, normal pressure).
The symbol Hg stands for its Latinized Greek name hydrargyrum, meaning watery or liquid silver. It is very poisonous.
