Question

Which of the following is metal?
A. Selenium
B. Phosphorus
C. Chlorine
D. Mercury ?

Answer 1

Metals have very good heat conductivity, electricity as the outer electron of metals can move freely. Hence, the delocalized electrons help to transfer heat and electricity. Non metals in the periodic table are present on the extreme right side, located left to halogens and right to metalloids.

Complete step by step answer:
As metals are often shiny in nature, chlorine, phosphorus and selenium are not shiny in nature. Major elements in a periodic table are metals, metals are separated by non-metals in a periodic table through a zigzag line starting from carbon to radon. The elements between carbon and radon are phosphorus, iodine and selenium. These three elements and the elements right to it are non-metals. Metals have low electronegativity and they are a very good reducing agent. When it comes to non-metal they are great oxidising agents and they can gain or lose electrons easily. There are usually four to eight electrons in the outer shell of non-metals.
Hence, mercury possesses all the properties of metals while other options don’t, mercury is a metal.

So, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: The symbol of mercury is Hg, its atomic number is 80 . It is a d block element and it’s the only metal which is obtained at liquid state at standard pressure and temperature. It is also known as quicksilver.