Mercury (Hg) – is a chemical element belonging to the 2^nd group of the Mendeleev periodic system with the index number 80 and atomic weight 200.59. It is a silver-white metal. Mercury density is 13.546 g/cm at 20°С, melting temperature is – 38.87°С, boiling temperature is + 357.25°С. Specific heat capacity of mercury is low. The specific heat capacity of mercury is 0.0334 cal/g°С.

Mercury evaporates at room temperatures turning into colorless flavorless vapor. The presence of mercury vapors in the air may be indicated by special measuring devices or by means of chemical analysis.

Mercury evaporation in stable air by means of diffusion is a slower process than mercury evaporation in convective air flows. Finely-divided mercury evaporation speed is extra-high.

Mercury solvability in water is low. Mercury doesn’t oxidize at room temperatures. Metal mercury interacts with halogens at normal temperatures, firstly producing halogenides Hg2X, then halogenides HgX. The high potential of mercury ionization determines its ability to restore from different compounding back to metallic state.