Mercury definition

Mercury is composed of an iron core which is at least partially molten. That is surrounded by a mantle, which is rocky, and a crust.

The definition of Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.

There is no gravity to slow down meteoroids and no friction to burn them up, so the surface of Mercury is pocketed by craters.

The surface of Mercury resembles Earth’s moon because it has a layer of silicates which are tiny particles.

Mercury has no moons or rings.

The largest crater on Mercury is called Caloris Basin and is 800 miles in diameter.

There is ice made of water at Mercury’s poles in deep craters.

It has no substantial atmosphere. There is some oxygen, helium, hydrogen, sodium, calcium and potassium.

The orbit of Mercury around the sun is oval-shaped and ranges from 28.58 million miles to 48 million miles. It takes around 88 days to complete a single revolution around the Sun, faster than any other planet including Earth that takes 365 days to make the rotation.

Mercury’s rotation on its axis is equal to about 58 Earth days.

There are extreme fluctuations in the temperature on Mercury. Temperatures can reach 840 degrees F, or 450 degrees C. Out of the sun, the surface can cool to -275 degrees F, or -170 degrees C.

The definition of mercury is a heavy, silver-white metal with an atomic number of 80 that is liquid at ordinary temperatures.

Its symbol is Hg, from the Latin hydrargyrum, meaning liquid silver.

Its boiling point is over 356 degrees Celsius, and it freezes at around minus 38 degrees Celsius.

It does not conduct heat very well, but is a fairly good conductor of electricity.

It has high surface tension and breaks up when poured or spilled onto a flat area, forming small beads which move around quickly.

It is used in thermometers because its expansion when heated is fairly constant, and in barometers because of its density.

It can be easily absorbed into your body through the skin, lungs, or by ingesting it.

You should never knowingly inhale or ingest mercury. Its vapor can be poisonous in concentrated amounts. It can: Damage your nervous system, cause brain and kidney damage, inhibit your immune system and lead to birth defects.

It was also known as quicksilver, because of its appearance and it is liquid. It is the only metal which is liquid at room temperature.

Mercury was known to ancient civilizations including the Egyptians and the Chinese. It has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to the second century B.C. Some thought it could heal and promote good health and used it as medicine.

Medieval alchemists thought that mercury became gold when it was in a solid state.

Temperature.

Any of several weedy plants of the genera Mercurialis and Acalypha.

(roman mythology) A god that served as messenger to the other gods and was himself the god of commerce, travel, and thievery.

The smallest of the planets and the one nearest the sun, having a sidereal period of revolution about the sun of 87.97 days at a mean distance of 57.91 million kilometers (35.98 million miles) and a mean radius of approximately 2,440 kilometers (1,516 miles).

(rom. myth., person, proper) The messenger of the gods, god of commerce, manual skill, eloquence, cleverness, travel, and thievery: identified with the Greek Hermes.

(place, proper) The smallest of the eight planets in the solar system and the one nearest to the sun: diameter, c. 4,880 km (c. 3,030 mi); period of revolution, 87.97 earth days; period of rotation, 58.65 earth days; symbol, ☿

(now rare) A messenger or guide.

A heavy, silvery-white metallic chemical element, liquid at ordinary temperatures, which sometimes occurs in a free state but usually in combination with sulfur; quicksilver: it is used in thermometers, air pumps, electrical products, etc. and in dental fillings: symbol, Hg; at. no. 80

The mercury column in a thermometer or barometer.

Any of a genus (Mercurialis) of plants of the spurge family.

An edible European plant (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) of the goosefoot family.

A silvery-white, dense, poisonous metallic element that is a liquid at room temperature and is used in thermometers, barometers, batteries, and pesticides. Atomic number 80; atomic weight 200.59; melting point −38.87°C; boiling point 356.58°C; specific gravity 13.546 (at 20°C); valence 1, 2.

The planet closest to the Sun and the smallest in the solar system. Mercury is a terrestrial or inner planet , second in density only to Earth, with a rugged, heavily-cratered surface similar in appearance to Earth's Moon. Its rotational period of 58.6 days is two-thirds of its 88-day orbital period, thus, it makes three full axial rotations every two years. Mercury's atmosphere is almost nonexistent; this fact, which produces rapid radiational cooling on its dark side, together with its proximity to the Sun, gives it a temperature range greater than any other planet in the solar system, from 466° to −184°C (870° to −300°F). Because it is so close to the Sun, Mercury is only visible shortly before sunrise or after sunset, and observation is further hindered by the fact that its light must pass obliquely through the lower atmosphere where it is distorted or filtered by dust and pollution.

A metal.

A plant.

A silvery-white poisonous metallic element, liquid at room temperature and used in thermometers, barometers, vapor lamps, and batteries and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. Atomic number 80; atomic weight 200.59; melting point −38.83°C; boiling point 356.62°C; specific gravity 13.546 (at 20°C); valence 1, 2.