{"id":4973,"date":"2026-01-08T12:14:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T03:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=4973"},"modified":"2026-01-08T12:14:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T03:14:06","slug":"elements-mercury-lets-learn-more-about-mercury-hg-atomic-number-80-basic-knowledge-of-chemistry-useful-in-society","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=4973","title":{"rendered":"Elements [Mercury] Let’s learn more about Mercury\/Hg, atomic number 80! Basic knowledge of chemistry useful in society."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We see less and less mercury these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, there is a good reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will talk about mercury, its properties and how it was once used in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury was widespread in ordinary households despite its high toxicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s learn together for future safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Properties and characteristics of Mercury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mercury is an element that readily forms alloys with other metals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite being a metal, it has liquid properties at room temperature and its vapors are highly toxic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Methylated mercury is also a highly dangerous element, as excessive ingestion can cause Minamata disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s look at mercury, which was originally used a lot in Japan, and in what situations it was actually used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Mercury is used on society<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mercury has become a less commonly used element in Japan today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, until just a decade ago, it was used as an ingredient in \u2018fluorescent lamps\u2019, \u2018mercury batteries\u2019 and \u2018medical equipment\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mercury is useful \u201cFluorescent lamps\u201d (now discontinued)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Fluorescent lamps are filled with mercury and argon gas, which collide with electrons and mercury atoms to emit ultraviolet radiation, which in turn illuminates the phosphor coated inside the fluorescent lamp, illuminating the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted that many companies have now discontinued the production of fluorescent lamps, and replacement with LED light fixtures is recommended. (LED lights do not contain mercury).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mercury is useful \u201cmercury cell\u201d(now discontinued)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mercury was used in dry cell batteries before 1990 and mercury button cells were used until the end of 1995.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern batteries do not use mercury and are changing to new battery forms, such as lithium-ion and hydrogen batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mercury is useful \u201cmedical instruments\u201d(now discontinued)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In the past, \u2018mercury sphygmomanometers\u2019 and \u2018mercury thermometers\u2019 were the most common and are still used in some hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, many hospitals have shifted to employ \u2018electronic blood pressure monitors\u2019 and \u2018electronic thermometers\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you see people shaking their thermometers, which is a legacy of the mercury thermometers, which always had to be shaken before measuring body temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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History of mercury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Chemical symbol; Hg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The etymology of the word mercury (Hg) is derived from the Latin word hydrargyrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combination of \u2018hydro\u2019 (water) + \u2018argyrum\u2019 (silver), meaning \u2018watery silver\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name Mercury originates from the god of commerce, Merkurios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discoverer is not known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, there are records of the use of mercury in China around 2000 BC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we have explained ‘ mercury ‘.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key points of this article are as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature and its vapors are highly toxic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Used in fluorescent lamps, mercury batteries and medical equipment (now discontinued).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other elements studied in high school are summarized in the following articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please see also the following pages for a further understanding!<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/i>Related articles.<\/span>