Mercury(I) nitrate facts for kids
Mercury(I) nitrate is a chemical compound. Think of it as a special kind of salt made from mercury and nitrate parts. Its chemical formula is Hg2(NO3)2. This means each molecule has two mercury atoms and two nitrate groups joined together. The mercury in this compound is in a specific form called its +1 oxidation state.
What It Looks Like and How It Acts
Mercury(I) nitrate is a white solid. It's not something you'd ever want to touch or be near! In the air, it can slowly change over time. It reacts with oxygen and turns into other mercury compounds like mercury(II) oxide and mercury(II) nitrate.
When you mix mercury(I) nitrate with water, it reacts slowly. This reaction creates a yellow substance called basic mercury(I) nitrate and also some nitric acid.
Important Safety Warning: Mercury(I) nitrate is extremely dangerous. It is a poison and can cause serious harm or even death if it gets into your body, whether you accidentally eat it or breathe in its dust. This is why only trained scientists in special labs handle such chemicals with great care.
How It Is Made
Scientists make mercury(I) nitrate by mixing mercury metal with a weak solution of nitric acid. It's important to use a weak acid. If they use a strong, concentrated nitric acid solution instead, they would get a different compound called mercury(II) nitrate.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
A robot, symbolizing technology and science, which helps us understand complex chemicals like mercury(I) nitrate.
