Mercury (Hg): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Mercury (Hg): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 · group 12 · period 6 · Ar 200.59
Mercury data
- Atomic number
- 80
- Relative atomic mass
- 200.59
- Group
- 12
- Period
- 6
- Block
- d
- Category
- Transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 12
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2
- First ionisation energy
- 10.438 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 209 pm
- State at room temperature
- Liquid
- Melting point
- −38.8 °C
- Boiling point
- 357 °C
- Density
- 13.5336 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +2, +1
- Discovered
- ancient times
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 32 · O 18 · P 2
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About mercury
Mercury, symbol Hg, is element number 80 in the periodic table. It is a transition metal in group 12, period 6, d-block. Mercury has been known and used since ancient times. The symbol Hg comes from the Latin hydrargyrum, meaning liquid silver. Mercury is one of only two elements that are liquid at room temperature, the other being bromine.
Mercury electron configuration
The electron configuration of mercury is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32, O = 18, P = 2. For transition metals, valence electrons are counted from the 6s and 5d subshells: 2 + 10 = 12, matching group 12. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Hg+ = [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d10; Hg2+ = [Xe] 4f14 5d10.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s2(56) → 4f14(70) → 5d10(80)
Uses of mercury
Well-known applications of mercury include fluorescent lamps and calomel electrodes; formerly thermometers and blood-pressure gauges, now restricted by the Minamata Convention.
Safety
Mercury vapour is a neurotoxin. Clean up spills with a mercury spill kit, never with a broom or vacuum cleaner. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 12
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of mercury?
The electron configuration of mercury (Hg, atomic number 80) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10, or [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 2.
How many valence electrons does mercury have?
Mercury has 12 valence electrons.
Which group and period is mercury in?
Mercury is in group 12, period 6, d-block.
What is the atomic mass of mercury?
The relative atomic mass of mercury is 200.59. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
Prepare solutions with analytical-grade reagents
AMI Scientific is one of the official TCI distributors in Indonesia. Reagents with lot CoA & SDS, formal quotations and tax invoices for universities and laboratories.
Other formulas & calculators: molarity, mole, molality, normality, dilution, titration, pH, buffer, molar mass, ppm, mole fraction, mass percent, periodic table, chemical MSDS.
