• Question: What is the softest metal?

    • Keywords:
      • Royal Society of Chemistry: Find out more about:
      Asked by Rosie Roo to Elizabeth, James, Martin, Martin, Rob on 16 Mar 2015.
      • Photo: James Coombs OBrien

        James Coombs OBrien answered on 16 Mar 2015:

        It is mercury.

        Mercury is a metal but is also a liquid at room temperature. You can see it inside thermometers but don’t touch it because it is toxic!

        Mercury and bromine are actually the only liquid elements on the periodic table.

        Since mercury is a liquid metal at really low temperatures (it doesn’t become a solid until it is cooled to -39 degree centigrade!) it is really soft!

        Thanks for your question

      • Photo: Elizabeth Cooper

        Elizabeth Cooper answered on 17 Mar 2015:

        Like James said mercury is the softest metal. This metal is liquid at room temperature.

    Comments