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Which of the following metals is liquid at room temperature?
Gallium
Mercury
Bromine
Sodium
Mercury
Mercury (Hg) is the only metallic element that remains in a liquid state at standard room temperature and pressure. While most metals are solid due to strong metallic bonding, mercury exhibits unique properties that keep it liquid.
Mercury (Hg) is the only metallic element that remains in a liquid state at standard room temperature and pressure. While most metals are solid due to strong metallic bonding, mercury exhibits unique properties that keep it liquid.
Think of mercury as a group of people who are too 'distracted' by their own fast-moving electrons to hold onto each other tightly, so they stay fluid and slip past one another like a liquid.
Hg тАФ Symbol for Mercury (Atomic Number 80)
The liquid state of mercury is attributed to relativistic effects of its inner electrons. These electrons orbit the nucleus at speeds close to the speed of light, causing the 6s orbital to contract and stabilize, which weakens the metallic bonding between individual mercury atoms. Consequently, the interatomic forces are insufficient to maintain a solid crystal lattice at room temperature.
Mercury is a d-block transition metal.
It has an exceptionally low melting point of тИТ38.83┬░C.
Gallium melts at 29.76┬░C, which is slightly above room temperature (25┬░C), but it can melt in the warmth of a human hand.
Bromine is also a liquid at room temperature, but it is a non-metal.
High coefficient of expansion for thermometers
High density allows for precise pressure measurements
High toxicity due to neurotoxic mercury vapors
Bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems
Used in barometers and sphygmomanometers
Used in electrical switches and fluorescent lamps
Standard Room Temperature is defined as 25┬░C or 298K.
Option A (Gallium) is a metal but is solid at room temperature.
Option C (Bromine) is a liquid at room temperature but is a non-metal.
Option D (Sodium) is a highly reactive solid alkali metal.
B is correct тАФ Mercury is the only metallic element that remains liquid at room temperature (25┬░C).
Always distinguish between metals and non-metals when answering 'liquid at room temperature' questions; Bromine is liquid but is a non-metal, whereas Mercury is the liquid metal.
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