Why is mercury metal, unlike all transition metals, liquid? How to explain this scientific fact to students in simple language?

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Tomislav Friganović

As far as I know it is due to strong relativistic effects of the fast-moving 6s electrons which in turn increase their effective mass and contract closer to the nucleus. This contraction of the 6s orbital reduces the ability of mercury atoms to share these outermost electrons for bonding. A very interesting read on this subject is this: Article Why is mercury liquid? Or, why do relativistic effects not g...

Mahmoud Elshahawy

Mercury is unique among metals because it remains liquid at room temperature. Here’s a simple way to explain this to students:

Weak atomic bonding: In most metals, atoms share valence electrons easily with other neighboring atoms, which helps them stick together and stay solid. However, mercury atoms don’t share their electrons well. This weak bonding makes it easier for mercury to stay liquid.

Unique electron behavior (Relativistic Effects): Mercury’s electrons move very fast, close to the speed of light. This makes them behave as if they are heavier, which keeps them closer to the nucleus and less available for bonding with other atoms.

Low melting point: Because of the weak bonding and the behavior of its electrons, mercury has a very low melting point. It doesn’t take much heat to break the binding between mercury atoms to turn it from solid to liquid.

In summary, mercury’s unique electron behavior and weak atomic bonding make it liquid at room temperature, unlike other metals.

Sina Jamalzadegan

Please check the following article for more info related to Mercury and other liquid metals:

Article Liquid Metal‐Based Biosensors: Fundamentals and Applications