Definition

Noun: * A heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures: This is the chemical element mercury. It is a dense, silver-colored, poisonous metal that exists as a liquid at standard room temperature and pressure.

Usage Notes

• "Atomic number 80" is the precise scientific term for the element mercury (symbol Hg). The "atomic number" refers to the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of this element.
• This term is primarily used in technical, scientific, and educational contexts (e.g., chemistry, physics, materials science). In everyday language, the common name "mercury" is almost always used instead.

Examples

• Scientific Context:
  • The periodic table lists the element with atomic number 80 as Hg.
  • The experiment required a small amount of the metal with atomic number 80.
  • Thermometers traditionally contained atomic number 80 because it expands uniformly with heat.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in formal descriptions to avoid ambiguity, as "mercury" can also refer to the Roman god or the planet.
  • Contamination from atomic number 80 poses significant environmental and health risks.

Variants and Related Words

• Mercury (Hg): The common name and chemical symbol for atomic number 80.
• Quicksilver: An archaic or alternative name for mercury, referring to its liquid, silvery appearance.
• Heavy metal: A category of dense metallic elements which includes atomic number 80.

Synonyms

• Mercury
• Hg (chemical symbol)
• Quicksilver (archaic/poetic)

Related Phrases and Terms

• Mercury poisoning: The medical condition caused by exposure to toxic compounds of atomic number 80.
• Mercury-vapor lamp: A type of lamp that uses an electric arc through vaporized atomic number 80 to produce light.
• Amalgam: An alloy of mercury (atomic number 80) with another metal, commonly used in dentistry.

Noun

1. a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures