Maria Cano Chem 1010

 The element has been around for many years it has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1500 B.C. It is unclear who first discovered it.  Hydragyrum meaning liquid silver was modified by the Romans, Hg is the symbol that is on the periodic table today for mercury  Mercury is the 80 th element listed on the periodic table and known as Hg.

 Around the fourth century Alchemist believed that mercury was a good substance because it had both solid and liquid, they saw it as earth and heaved or life and death.  Chinese emperor also thought mercury would help them prolong their lives but did the opposite instead. Some traditional Chinese medicine still have high levels of mercury today.

Mercury is a dense, silver-white metal with a mirror like appearance. It’s the only metal that at room temperature is in a liquid state and evaporates slowly and the same temperature. Mercury also has a high surface tension, and when spilled, breaks up into tiny beads. Characteristics

 There are many uses for mercury, some of the most commons use is for barometers and manometers which are measuring instruments (Example: Thermometer)  Mercury is also used to make advertising signs and in lamps that are typically used for street light, as sun lamps, and UV lights.  Compounds of mercury are also used in medicine, dentistry, cosmetics and in agriculture to make fungicides.

 Mercury is very poisonous and cause some serious health effects to humans. If exposed to mercury by inhaling mercury the affects consist of:  Disruption of the nervous system  Damage to brain functions  DNA damage and chromosomal damage  Allergic reactions, skin rashes, tiredness and headaches  Negative reproductive effects, such as sperm damage, birth defects and miscarriages.

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