Question

Mercury and bromine are both
a) Liquid at room temperature
b) solid at room temperature
c) gases at room temperature
d) both (a) and (b)

Answer 1

Hint: We should know that for any element to exist as a state of matter- whether it be solid, liquid or gas, the attractive forces in them or between them which binds them together is the determinant. The closeness of the particles and the space in between them can explain their existence in a particular state.

Complete answer:
Mercury is a chemical element with atomic number $80$ in the periodic table. It is usually denoted as the symbol “Hg”. It appears as a silvery liquid. It is a very useful element, in industries as well as electronic appliances. Thermometers that we use to measure our body temperature contain Mercury. It easily forms alloys named amalgams with other metals like gold, silver, tin et cetera. Dental fillings use mercury amalgams. However, it is a toxic substance and can cause mercury poisoning in the body if exposed in large quantities.
Bromine is a chemical element with atomic number $35$ in the periodic table. It is usually denoted as the symbol “Br”. It belongs to the group $17$ called Halogens. Bromine appears as a fuming reddish-brown liquid at room temperature. On evaporation, it appears as a gas of the same colour. It is used in agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals and also as flame-retardants. However, Bromine is dangerous as it can be toxic on inhalation and corrosive on touch.
At room temperature, Mercury and Bromine are both liquids.
Therefore, the required answer is a) Liquid at room temperature.

Note:
Mercury is a metal, while Bromine is a non-metal. One important point to note is that at room temperatures, Mercury is the only metal to exist in liquid state out of all the metals and Bromine is the only non-metal to exist in liquid state out of all the non-metals.