He also lent his name to the metal mercury, a quick-silvery liquid we're most familiar with through its role in thermometers. Though we know most metals in their solid state, all of them melt too if they get hot enough, says Craig Carter, a professor of materials science and engineering. read more
Reason: Most metal atoms readily share valence electrons with other atoms so that they have strong metallic bonding between the atoms which makes their existence in solid state at room temperature. read more
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Here's a look at what makes mercury different from other metals. Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. read more
Tin becomes liquid at 231.8˚C (447.8˚F); at the other end of the spectrum, tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal: 3,422˚C (6,192˚F). Somewhere in the middle is mercury, which stays in a liquid state until its temperature drops to -40°. read more