A mercury switch is a glass tube containing liquid mercury and two electrodes that connect when tilted past a certain angle, allowing electricity to flow. However, mercury is dangerous, so many manufacturers are replacing them. They are used in thermostats, car lights, and even motion-activated bombs. Broken switches are toxic waste and should only be […]
Mercury vapor lamps are HID lamps used for commercial and outdoor lighting. They produce bluish white light by introducing a mercury vapor electric current inside a sealed glass tube. They require a ballast and have an average life expectancy of over 24,000 hours. However, they have become less popular due to more efficient alternatives, and […]
Project Mercury was a US government-funded project to get Americans into space in response to the space and arms race with Russia. It established clear parameters for manned spaceflight, selected seven astronauts, and achieved its goal with Alan Shepard’s flight in 1961 and John Glenn’s orbit in 1962. Project Mercury was a US government-funded project […]
Mercury batteries store and supply energy, using mercury oxide and zinc to create electrons. They were popular until the mid-1990s when many countries banned or restricted their production due to the toxic effects of mercury. Mercury can still be found in button cell batteries, which should be disposed of properly to avoid environmental damage. A […]
Mercury poisoning, caused by the absorption of mercury, can severely damage the nervous system and brain. It was common in hat makers in the 18th century and is now mainly caused by consuming mercury-contaminated fish. Chelation therapy is used to eliminate the contaminant. There is controversy over whether infant immunization shots containing a mercury compound […]
A mercury barometer measures barometric pressure to predict weather changes. It consists of a tube filled with mercury and a reservoir. The height of the mercury in the tube changes with atmospheric pressure, and markings on the tube quantify pressure changes. The unit of choice is millimeters of mercury or mm Hg, with one atmosphere […]
Mercury pressure gauges measure gas pressure using a vertical tube filled with liquid mercury. Closed-tube gauges are preferred due to mercury’s toxicity. They are used to measure atmospheric pressure and flow rates in air conditioning systems. Maintenance is required as mercury slowly vaporizes, leading to the use of alternative liquids. A mercury pressure gauge is […]
A mercury vacuum is designed to collect and recover mercury, with filters and parts to separate it from clean air and particles. It is mainly used in industries that commonly use mercury, such as dental offices and laboratories. It can also be used as a general vacuum cleaner, but caution should be exercised if it […]
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system with a circumference of 9,525 miles. Its surface area is less than 15% of Earth’s and its mass is 5.5% of Earth’s. Mercury orbits the sun every 88 days and was known to the ancients. Venus is hotter due to its thick atmosphere. Mercury, the smallest […]
Mercury is a heavy, silvery-white, poisonous metal with various uses, including in thermometers, barometers, and gold mining. It is extracted from cinnabar and is found mainly in Europe. Mercury is associated with birth defects, neurological damage, and kidney damage. It was used in the manufacture of felt hats, leading to the phrase “mad as a […]
Mercury is a dangerous metal found in many everyday objects, including medical equipment, electrical switches, and pesticides. It can cause severe brain damage and respiratory disorders, and is released into the environment through coal burning and hazardous waste disposal. Pregnant women and predators that feed on fish or birds are particularly at risk. Its use […]
