Is quicksilver a metal?

We got used to the fact that in our world metals are solid. But there are four metals that can exist in a liquid form without any special conditions. For example, quicksilver or mercury (Hg). It is the only known metal that can stay liquid at a temperature higher than -39 °С. That is why mercury is often used in different thermometers.

The other three are gallium, cesium and francium, but they are liquid only at a temperature higher than +27-30 °С.

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

42 Comments

Jack Diehl

I'm 70 yo. This site and others like it, keep your mind functioning in many ways. Recall of info and deduction of available info and common sense reasoning; as well as providing info you were unaware of. Stay young folks, and informed.

Margaret O'Neill

I hated science at school,but for some reason I did learn about the elements and that's how I got this answer right! Every day is a school day, even at the age of 61...

Tom Seigo

One good that comes from this site is LEARNING!!

mkrash

Liquid metal is still a metal .

crdemarti

I leaned a fact today that is fascinating to me. Love learning in my 80.th decade.

kelliestinson

Yeah but, will it take care if Dracula!! Science was not one of my fortes! Glad to see I had a 50/50 chance!

Orlando Giménez

The only liquid metal.

dvdeaton

If you need to deliver Quicksilver, just call Quicksilver Messenger Service!!!!!

John Edward Boyle

"Mad Hatters" know all about this.

thevoyers

I'm not sure cause it was a long time ago, but a science teacher once told me that glass is also a liquid!

jack patti go

Got it! I asked my husband, if quicksilver, was a metal! He said, I think so!! Only yes or no answers, no I think so! I went with yed!

DonRt

Francium doesn't really count, as you could never get enough of it together in one place to determine its physical properties - it's _extremely radioactive, with a half-life measured in minutes.

Vaughan Smith

I don't like to nitpick, but there is a flaw in the wording of the answer, i.e." mercury can stay liquid above the stated temperature." Other metals have a higher melting point and become liquids at temperatures above that of mercury, e.g. tin over 200 deg C, lead over 300 deg C, Cu over 1,000 deg C etc.