Bromine vs. Mercury — What's the Difference?

A dark reddish-brown liquid halogen element.

The only metallic element that is liquid at room temperature.

Known for its strong odor and corrosive properties.

Known for its high surface tension and ability to form amalgams.

Used to manufacture a variety of brominated organic compounds.

Highly toxic, especially when metabolized into methylmercury.

Dangerous to human tissue upon exposure.

Used in traditional practices and industrial applications.

Involved in ozone layer depletion when used in certain applications.

Requires careful disposal to prevent environmental contamination.

Bromine is a chemical element with the symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is the third-lightest halogen, and is a fuming red-brown liquid at room temperature that evaporates readily to form a similarly coloured vapour.

Roman Mythology A god that served as messenger to the other gods and was himself the god of commerce, travel, and thievery.

A dense, volatile, corrosive, reddish-brown, nonmetallic liquid halogen element that exists as a diatomic molecule, Br2 having a highly irritating vapor. Chiefly isolated from brines, it is used in producing fumigants, dyes, water purification compounds, and photographic chemicals. Atomic weight 79.904; atomic number 35; melting point -7.2°C; boiling point 58.8°C; density of gas 7.59 grams per liter; specific gravity (liquid, at 20°C) 3.12; valence 1, 3, 5, 7. See Periodic Table.

The smallest of the planets and the one nearest the sun, having a sidereal period of revolution about the sun of 87.97 days at a mean distance of 57.91 million kilometers (35.98 million miles) and a mean radius of approximately 2,440 kilometers (1,516 miles).

(uncountable) A nonmetallic chemical element (symbol Br) with an atomic number of 35; one of the halogens, it is a fuming red-brown liquid at room temperature.

Symbol HgA silvery-white poisonous metallic element, liquid at room temperature and used in thermometers, barometers, vapor lamps, and batteries and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. Atomic number 80; atomic weight 200.59; melting point -38.83°C; boiling point 356.62°C; specific gravity 13.546 (at 20°C); valence 1, 2.Also called quicksilver. See Periodic Table.

(countable) A bromine atom

Temperature:The mercury had fallen rapidly by morning.

One of the halogen elements, related in its chemical qualities to chlorine and iodine. Atomic weight 79.8. Symbol Br. It is a deep reddish brown liquid of a very disagreeable odor, emitting a brownish vapor at the ordinary temperature. In combination it is found in minute quantities in sea water, and in many saline springs. It occurs also in the mineral bromyrite.

Any of several weedy plants of the genera Mercurialis and Acalypha.

A nonmetallic largely pentavalent heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water

A metal.

A silvery-colored, toxic, metallic chemical element, liquid at room temperature, with atomic number 80 and symbol Hg.

One of the elemental principles formerly thought to be present in all metals.

(with definite article) Ambient pressure or temperature (from the use of mercury in barometers and thermometers).

(obsolete) Liveliness, volatility.

Any of several types of plant.

An annual plant, annual mercury (Mercurialis annua), formerly grown for its medicinal properties; French mercury, herb mercury.

Any plant of any species of the genus and the genus Mercurialis.

A similar edible plant (Blitum bonus-henricus), otherwise known as English mercury or novern=1.

The poison oak or poison ivy.

A Latin god of commerce and gain; - treated by the poets as identical with the Greek Hermes, messenger of the gods, conductor of souls to the lower world, and god of eloquence.

A metallic element mostly obtained by reduction from cinnabar, one of its ores. It is a heavy, opaque, glistening liquid (commonly called quicksilver), and is used in barometers, thermometers, etc. Specific gravity 13.6. Symbol Hg (Hydrargyrum). Atomic weight 199.8. Mercury has a molecule which consists of only one atom. It was named by the alchemists after the god Mercury, and designated by his symbol,

One of the planets of the solar system, being the one nearest the sun, from which its mean distance is about 36,000,000 miles. Its period is 88 days, and its diameter 3,000 miles.

A carrier of tidings; a newsboy; a messenger; hence, also, a newspaper.

Sprightly or mercurial quality; spirit; mutability; fickleness.

A plant (Mercurialis annua), of the Spurge family, the leaves of which are sometimes used for spinach, in Europe.

To wash with a preparation of mercury.

A heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures

(Roman mythology) messenger of Jupiter and god of commerce; counterpart of Greek Hermes

The smallest planet and the nearest to the sun

Temperature measured by a mercury thermometer;

Bromine is highly corrosive and can release toxic fumes that are harmful to both health and the environment.

Bromine is one of the only two elements that are liquid at room temperature.

Proper safety gear and procedures are crucial to prevent exposure and contamination.

Yes, digital and alcohol-based thermometers are safe alternatives to mercury thermometers.

Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, and electrical switches.

Yes, both are used in various consumer products, but due to their toxic nature, their use is highly regulated.

Mercury pollution can lead to significant ecological damage, particularly in aquatic environments.

Both are liquids at room temperature and have significant industrial uses but are hazardous and require careful handling.

Mercury is neurotoxic and accumulates in biological tissues, leading to serious health issues when ingested or inhaled.

Specialized processes are required for recycling to ensure environmental safety.

Regulations focus on limiting their environmental impact and ensuring safe handling and disposal.

Bromine is used to synthesize various brominated compounds used in medicine.

Historically, mercury was used in medicine and in making hats, leading to the phrase "mad as a hatter."

Research continues into safer handling practices and reducing their environmental footprint.

Bromine reacts to form bromides, while mercury can form amalgams with many metals.