Mercury
Chemists thought that mercury could convert many simple minerals into gold, and they created many experiments to do so. But they all went down in vain. Mark Abu Bakr al-Razi discovered the harmful effects of mercury use and its toxicity so it was not used in much Industries and specifically pharmaceuticals.
The subsequent research, which was done by knowing everything about this material, was followed by the result that it was a silver-colored chemical, classified as one of the elements of the universal chemical periodic table.
Nature of mercury
Mercury is the symbol of Hg, which is a liquid at normal room temperature; as a result of its ability to flow quickly called sometimes the name of quick silver, the atomic weight is equal to 200.59 and atomic number of 80, and fully melts at a temperature of 38.87 degrees Celsius, It is boiling at 356.58 degrees Celsius, and it is not yet known who discovered it, that many books and studies show that it was used by Egyptians, Chinese and Greeks as well.
Sources and whereabouts
Mercury is a small amount in the earth’s crust, but many of the sediments that contain mercury are among the most present. The mercury used and spread among people is made from a substance called zinger, which is made up of mercury mixed with sulfur, Pure mercury can be obtained by heating the zinger with air; oxygen reacts with the sulfur in the substance itself, forming carbon dioxide and leaving the mercury in the end. The chemists then divided the mercury into two main groups:
- Mercury or mercury compounds I: which consist of mercury chloride known as calomell, in addition to mercury sulphate, and are used as disinfectant for many microbes such as bacteria, as enzymes that increase the speed of detection of some organic chemical compounds.
- Mercury or mercury compounds II: consisting of mercuric chloride, known as Sulaymani for its toxicity, used as a disinfectant for wounds, and in the manufacture of many pigments, specifically red.
Mercury is found in many human-fed organisms, such as plants and animals, some species of fish and other meat, eggs and wheat, as well as in many cosmetics and toothpastes, and can be used in the manufacture of laxatives of fabrics and inks specifically used by workers in printing presses. In materials used for tattooing, in certain types of wood preservatives, varnishes and plastics, in addition to certain types of drugs and drugs.