Mercury 'surface tension' vs. density

[DaveC426913]

When I was a young, a neighbor kid had some mercury that we all played with. Yes, we handled it, tried not to drop it...poured it from hand to hand.

My wife was given Mercury to play with in science class. Now that she's in health care and knowledgeable about toxins, she too wonders how she survived childhood.

Metallic mercury is relatively harmless when compared to the organic methyl mercury compound found in fish..

I have always wondered about this. I have heard that there were two types of Mercury, one organic and one inorganic but I never understood it - it's an element!

 

[Danger]

I have heard that there were two types of Mercury, one organic and one inorganic but I never understood it - it's an element!

Hold onto that thought, pal. I have a panel of my comic that directly references this, but I'm having a hell of a time trying to remember how to use Illustrator 6 which it is stored in, so as to upgrade it for publication. Laugh if you like, but I've gone through 4, 6, 8, 10, and CS. It's like trying to learn to read all over again, and I don't have the manual any more.

 

[Bob S]

See section on methylization of mercury in
http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/146-00/
Bob S

 

[Danger]

Hey, Bob. I was absent for a couple of days and lost track of this thread. Thanks for the link; it's very informative.