Question

A metal that exists as a liquid at room temperature is obtained by heating its sulphide in the presence of air. Identify the metal and its ore and give the reaction involved.

Answer 1

Mercury is the metal which is liquid at room temperature. Ore of Mercury is Cinnabar. When we heat cinnabar in
atmospheric oxygen following reaction takes place.

`2"HgS"("s") + 3"O"_2("g") overset("Heat")(->) 2"HgO"("s") + 2"SO"_2("g")`

`2"HgO"("s") overset("Heat")(->) 2"Hg"("l") + "O"("g")`