Mercury (Hg)
Mercury is element 80, a transition metal in period 6, group 12 of the periodic table. At room temperature it is a liquid.
Electron configuration [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2
Mercury data
| Atomic number | 80 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Hg |
| Atomic mass | 200.59 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 12 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d |
| State at 25 °C | liquid |
| Melting point | 234 K (-39.1 °C) |
| Boiling point | 630 K (356.9 °C) |
| Density | 13.534 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2 |
| Atomic radius | 149 pm |
| 1st ionization energy | 1007 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | 0 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation states | +1, +2, +4 |
| Common ion charge | +, 2+ |
| Discovered | Known since antiquity |
Orbital diagram
Each box is one orbital holding up to two electrons of opposite spin. Following Hund’s rule, electrons spread out singly across a subshell before pairing.
Work through mercury’s configuration and its ions →
Where mercury sits
Mercury belongs to the transition metals. Its Pauling electronegativity of 2 is mid-range; see the electronegativity chart and periodic trends for context. To use its mass in a calculation, try the molar mass calculator.
Mercury FAQ
What is the electron configuration of mercury?
Mercury (Z = 80) has the configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d10 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand that is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2.
How many valence electrons does mercury have?
12 (2 outer s + 10 d electrons; 2 in the outermost shell).
What is the atomic mass of mercury?
The standard atomic weight of mercury is 200.59 u, so one mole weighs 200.59 g.
Is mercury a metal?
Yes. Mercury is a transition metal.
What is the charge of a mercury ion?
Mercury most commonly forms Hg+ or Hg2+.