Elements·Mercury
80
Hg
Mercury
200.59

Mercury

Transition metal

Mercury is element 80, symbol Hg. It sits in period 6, group 12, and weighs 200.59.

Metals filling an inner shell as they go, giving several oxidation states and colour.

Atomic number
80
Atomic weight
200.59
Period
Period 6
Group
Group 12
Block
d block
Electron configuration
[Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10
Neutrons
121

The periodic table

Rows are periods, columns are groups. Tap any square to open that element.

Others in the same group

Neighbours by number

How to read this

  • A row (period) is the number of electron shells. Elements in period 3 carry three of them.
  • A column (group) tells you how many electrons sit in the outer shell — which is why a group behaves alike.
  • Atomic weight runs at roughly twice the atomic number: about as many neutrons as protons.
  • The 28 lanthanides and actinides are drawn below the table. Slotting them in would stretch it to 32 columns.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What are Mercury's number and symbol?

Element 80, symbol Hg, atomic weight 200.59.

Q. Where does it sit in the table?

Period 6, group 12 — a transition metal.

Q. What is its electron configuration?

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10, or [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 for short.

Q. How many neutrons does it have?

Rounding the atomic weight and subtracting the atomic number gives 121. The exact count depends on the isotope.