Skip to content

Search the chemistry universe

Elements, molecules, concepts, simulations, experiments and pages.

Enter a formula, name or conceptFull search

Mercury atom & ion lab

Change the electron count of Mercury and inspect its charge, shells and reviewed atomic properties.

UndergraduateLive

Scientific learning path

  1. 01UnderstandLive
  2. 02ExploreLive
  3. 03ExperimentLive
  4. 04ObserveLive
  5. 05ExplainLive
  6. 06ApplyLive
  7. 07TestLive
Explanation mode
Hg

Core label represents the fixed nuclear charge; individual neutrons are not inferred from standard atomic weight.

Reviewed atomic properties

Unavailable measurements remain explicitly unavailable.

First ionization energy1007.1 kJ mol⁻¹
Covalent radius132 pm
Electronegativity2 Pauling

The only metal that is liquid at 298 K.

Description of this simulation

Mercury is neutral here: 80 protons are balanced by 80 electrons across shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2.

Quick test · 3 questions
1. Which statement is evidence from this simulation?
2. How should you test the effect of one control?
3. Why read the model notes?

Hg

Mercury

Z = 80
Protons
80
Electrons
80
Shells
2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 18 · 2
Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2
Common oxidation states
1, 2
Phase near room conditions
liquid

What this model shows — and what it simplifies

Educational Model

The nuclear charge stays fixed at 80 protons, which is what defines Mercury.

Where do we see this in real life?

The electron count and measured properties of Mercury help determine how it bonds, reacts and is identified in chemical materials.

Explain this result

Scientific review record

Building
Module version
v1 bundled
Published
Loading…
Last reviewed
Not yet verified
Academic level
Undergraduate
Reviewer
Not publicly assigned

Loading source metadata…

Review method · Report an error