# Mecury Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 8, 2001, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mecury-question/75416 "2001-08-08T05:09:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![genecola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@genecola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/genecola)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mecury-question/75416/1 "2001-08-08T05:09:51Z")
Hi. Here’s a question! Why is mecury in liquid form at room temperature? Please reply thanks! ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mecury-question/75416/2 "2001-08-08T05:43:27Z")
Because it has an abnormally low melting point of -40 degrees (either fahrenheit or celsius). Just like any other metal, when it’s hot enough, it melts. Unlike any other common metal, however, the temperature required is below room temperature. There’s probably a more complete description, but it would involve interactions of subatomic particles, and perhaps quantum physics, to explain why it is that mercury is so different from any other metallic element. However, I really can’t help you there. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mecury-question/75416/3 "2001-08-08T06:08:35Z")
Even better than mercury for fun is gallium. Normal room temperature: Solid Body temperature (in the palm of your hand): Liquid! ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2001, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mecury-question/75416/4 "2001-08-08T14:18:58Z")
dupe thread.