2007-08-18 05:17:35 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It's a bit more than a single electron.
Gold is atomic number 79 and atomic weight 197, mercury is atomic number 80 and atomic weight 201. This means one more proton, one more electron and 3 more neutrons.
Both gold and mercury are transition metals and the chemical and physical properties are controled to a large extent by the way the electron shells are filled. So you are to some extent right in saying the extra electron is the difference, but it is no different to asking why are copper and zinc different. No elements are similar just because they are next to each other. Similarity tends to go in columns of the periodic table which means the outer (valence) electron shells are the same.
2007-08-18 05:21:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The difference between the two elements is not just one electron, there is an extra proton and neutron as well. You are correct about the extra electron making the main difference though, electrons are responsible for the chemical properties of all elements.
2007-08-22 12:10:27 · answer #2 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Otherwise they are not what they are. If your question would have an answer then we have our alchemists not mining for golds but turning any other metals to gold.
If you ask what makes the difference between mercury and gold then the answer is in your question. But if you ask why one single electron makes that difference, then that is how it is.
2007-08-22 07:03:53 · answer #3 · answered by Harihara S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above is incorrect.
Look at the periodic table - and at the atomic number for each Au and Hg. You will notice 1 more proton for Hg vs Au which is the difference. Of course, for electro-neutrality Hg metal has 1 more electron than Au metal. The mass number includes protons and neutrons so the distinction between the two may not be nearly so clear.
2007-08-18 12:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by GTB 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
It is the nucleus which normally determines the properties of an atom since orbital electrons will need to be equal to the number of protons to maintain electrical neutrality of the atom. You got good answers below overall.
2007-08-18 12:44:15 · answer #5 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Count the protons, not the electrons.
2007-08-18 12:24:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
there are differences in the protons (+1) and neutrons (+3) too!
2007-08-18 14:31:42 · answer #7 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
alchemy
2007-08-20 16:17:16 · answer #8 · answered by iangllwy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try this http://www.levity.com/alchemy/nelson2_7.html
2007-08-18 12:28:50 · answer #9 · answered by sv1973 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋