Question

Which one of the following is known as quicksilver ?

• A. Copper
• B. Zinc
• C. Tin
• D. Mercury

Hint:

Quicksilver is the alternative traditional name for Mercury, recognizing its unique liquid metal state and shiny appearance.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Many chemical elements possess historical, classical, or popular trivial names based on their unique physical characteristics, appearance, or behavior at room temperature conditions.

Step 1: Mercury (chemical symbol \(\text{Hg}\), atomic number 80) is a heavy, silvery d-block element. It is uniquely the only metallic element that remains stable in a liquid aggregate state at standard room temperature conditions.

Step 2: Because of its bright metallic silver appearance and its fluid, fast-moving, and highly mobile properties, ancient civilizations and early chemists called it quicksilver (meaning "living or fluid silver"). Hence, Option (D) matches this definition.