MCQ Detailed View

Mercury is a unique metal that is commonly known as quicksilver due to its liquid state at room temperature and shiny, silver-like appearance. Unlike most metals, which are solid at room temperature, mercury flows easily like water, which makes it instantly recognizable and historically significant in various applications.

Quicksilver is another name for mercury derived from its fast-moving, silvery liquid form. Mercury is represented by the chemical symbol Hg and has the atomic number 80. It is a dense, heavy metal with high surface tension and excellent thermal conductivity. Because of these properties, it has been used in thermometers, barometers, electrical switches, and certain industrial processes.

The other options in the MCQ are not metals or related to mercury:

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  Sulphuric acid is a strong chemical acid (H₂SO₄) and not a metal.

  
  


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  Chromite is an ore of chromium, used in metal extraction, but unrelated to quicksilver.

  
  


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  Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), not a metal.

  
  

Mercury is toxic, so modern usage has declined in favor of safer alternatives. However, understanding its properties and common name is important in inorganic chemistry, material science, and historical scientific studies.

In summary, the metal Mercury is called quicksilver due to its liquid, silvery appearance and historical applications. Recognizing quicksilver and its properties is a fundamental concept in chemistry and helps students understand unique characteristics of elements in the periodic table.