Why is the element pb named mercury?

Lead = Pb. The latin word for "lead" is "plumbum." Mercury = Hg. A former name for Mercury was hydrargyrum, which comes from the Greek ὑδράργυρος (hydrargyros), and literally means "water-silver. read more

Mercury is a chemical element with symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum (/ h aɪ ˈ d r ɑːr dʒ ər ə m /). read more

Named after the fastest-moving planet in the solar system, mercury has been known to humanity for ages. In fact, evidence of its use has been found in China, India and Egypt, and traces of mercury were found in 3,500-year-old Egyptian tombs. read more