COMEDK2017Chemistryd and f Block Elements
Mercury is a liquid metal because
Options
- Ait has a completely filled s -orbital
- Bit has a small atomic size
- Cit has a completely filled d -orbital that prevents d-d overlapping of orbitals
- Dit has a completely filled d -orbital that causes d-(d) overlapping
Correct answer
A. it has a completely filled s -orbital
Step-by-step solution
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.