mercure
- Domaine
-
- chimiechimie minérale
- Date
Définition :
Métal argenté liquide à température normale. Il est assez rare dans la nature, où il se présente sous forme de sulfure. Il a une pression de vapeur très élevée et il est très toxique.
Note :
Il forme des amalgames avec des nombreux métaux. Il est utilisé comme électrode liquide dans la production par électrolyse de chlore et de soude, et il intervient également dans la production de piles électriques, mais sa rareté en fait un métal de coût élevé, ce qui limite ses utilisations.
Termes :
- mercure n. m.
- Hg
Terme associé :
- vif-argent n. m.
Traductions
-
anglais
Date :Définition
An element. State: Liquid; Group: IIB; Atomic No: 80; Atomic Wt: 200.59; Valence; 1,2; Isotopes: 7 stables. Mercury is the only metal that is liquid not only at room temperature but down to -39 °C (-38 °F); its forms a monatomic vapor and can be compressed to a soft solid state. It is unique among liquids in its very high surface tension which causes it to fragment into globules rather than to flow; this property is responsible for the trivial name quick-silver.
A silver-coloured metallic element, unique amongst the elements in being liquid in the 0-100 °C temperature range. It occurs in nature as the sulphide (cinnabar) and is comparatively rare. Mercury liquid has a high vapour pressure and it is extremely toxic so it should always be handled with great care. Its principal uses are in thermometers and as liquid electrodes (eg brine electrolysis in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda). It has the ability to form amalgams with a wide range of metals, and so finds a use in dental preparations, and mercury isalso employed in a variety of batteries. It would doubtless be used more extensively in electric cells if its price were not such a prohibitive factor.Note :
Derived from the Latin hydrargyrum, meaning "liquid silver" (from its appearance and behavior).
Termes :
- mercury
- Hg
Termes associés :
- quick silver
- quicksilver