Question

Which properties of mercury make it a good material to use in a thermostat

Answer 1

*The metal is relatively soft when compared to other transition metals, probably because the d electrons do not participate in calls.

*Melting points and boiling are very low.

*At room temperature, the fluid has an appreciable vapor pressure. Therefore, the exposed surfaces of mercury should always be covered to prevent evaporation and, consequently, the risk of poisoning.

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Answer 2

Mercury has very peculiar properties, notably that of dilating quite considerably under the effect of heat. Hence the definition: any variation in temperature is proportional to the change in length of the mercury column.

Unlike the alcohols used previously in place of mercury, it has a large and constant expansion length, which allows measuring with fairly good accuracy the temperature.

It should be noted, however, that mercury thermometers have been banned for sale since March 1, 1999, not because of their inefficiency, but because of the danger to the health of the mercury they discharge into our homes when they accidentally break, and also thanks to the placing on the market of electronic thermometers of all kinds that can replace them effectively.

This measure also reduces the sources of mercury, the pollutant of the environment.