Quicksilver, or mercury, has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1500 B.C., and has also bene known to the ancient Hindus and Chinese. Mercury derives its name from the planet and the alchemical symbol. The symbol for alchemy and for the planet were the same, so instead the elemental symbol was chosen from the Latin name for "water silver".It is a heavy silver metal. It is rarely found free in nature, instead, it is derived from cinnabar sulfide. Mercury itself is very poisonous- and the danger of it increases if the temperature rises. It is also one of the few elements that kept it's liquid state at room temperature.
Fun Fact: Mercury floats on top of water.
It is often used in:
- Thermometers
- Diffusion pumps
- Barometers
- Mercury vapor lamps
- Mercury switches
- Pesticides
- Batteries
- Dental preparations
- Antifouling paints
- Pigments
- Catalysts
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