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COMEDK · Chemistry · 23. d and f Block Elements

Mercury is a liquid metal because

  1. A it has a completely filled \(s\)-orbital
  2. B it has a small atomic size
  3. C it has a completely filled \(d\)-orbital that prevents \(d-d\) overlapping of orbitals
  4. D it has a completely filled \(d\)-orbital that causes d-(d) overlapping
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(A) it has a completely filled \(s\)-orbital

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

Mercury is a liquid metal because it has completely filled \(6 s\)-orbital. The inner \(f\)-orbital poorly screens nuclear charge that stabilise \(6 s\)-orbital. Thus, it is not possible to form any bond with other elements.