Final answer:
Mercury is in the liquid state at room temperature, being the only metal that isn't solid at such conditions. It has a definite volume but no fixed shape and is characterized by a high surface tension.
Step-by-step explanation:
At room temperature, the state of matter that describes mercury metal is the liquid state. Mercury is unique as it is the only known metal that remains liquid at ambient conditions. Other common elements like gold, silver, and iron are all solid metals at room temperature. The molecular characteristics of liquids, including mercury, show that particles are in close contact but have enough energy to move and slide past each other freely. Unlike solids, which have both definite volume and shape, or gases that lack both, a liquid like mercury has a definite volume but no definite shape, adhering to the form of its container. Moreover, mercury features a remarkable property known as surface tension, highlighting its cohesive forces allowing it to stick to itself, which makes it distinctly different even among other liquids.