Mercury(II) iodide facts for kids
Mercury(II) iodide, also known as mercuric iodide, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is HgI2. It contains mercury and iodide ions. The mercury part has a +2 charge.
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What is Mercury(II) Iodide Like?
Mercury(II) iodide is a bright red solid. It has a special trick: when you heat it up, it turns yellow! But don't worry, it changes back to red when it cools down. This compound does not dissolve in water. Like all mercury compounds, it is very poisonous, so it must be handled with great care.
How is Mercury(II) Iodide Made?
Scientists can make mercury(II) iodide in a lab. They mix a mercury compound, like mercury(II) chloride, with something that has iodide ions. When these two chemicals meet, they form a bright red solid. This solid then settles out of the liquid.
Where is Mercury(II) Iodide Found?
In nature, mercury(II) iodide is very rare. It can be found as a mineral called coccinite.
What is Mercury(II) Iodide Used For?
In the past, mercury(II) iodide was sometimes used as a medicine. However, it was found to be very poisonous to people who took it. Today, it is used to show how some things change color when heated and then change back when cooled. It can also help test for ammonia and is used in some electronic parts as a semiconductor.
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