2006-09-20 04:30:17 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
this is the other way around, mercury used to be called quicksilver
2006-09-20 04:38:38 · answer #1 · answered by Nimbus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury got to be called quicksilver because mercury can coat things and give them a shiny silver appearance, even things like copper, such as a penny. It wears off the surface easily unless covered. Mercury was how mirrors were made for a long time, by coating the backside with quicksilver and then covering the coated side. If you examine a mirror, you will see you are looking through the glass to the reflective silver coating on the back.
2006-09-20 11:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by rowlfe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury. It is in liquid form at room temperature, hence the name Quicksilver
2006-09-20 11:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by NoisyDaveB 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury. It was called that because it moves as if it were alive.
The term "quick" also meant/means "alive".
2006-09-20 11:39:52 · answer #4 · answered by Grey Bear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mercury.
2006-09-20 11:37:23 · answer #5 · answered by slippie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋