
What is ‘Tailing of Mercury’?
Answer
522k+ views
Hint: Mercury is a liquid metal having an atomic number of , a heavy silvery-white metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures. It is used in thermometers. Tailing of mercury involves passing ozone through it.
Complete step-by-step answer:
When ozone is passed through mercury, it loses its meniscus and sticks to the glass due to the formation of the mercurous oxide. This is called the tailing of mercury. The meniscus can be restored by shaking it with water.
Simply, Tailing of mercury is defined as sticking of mercury to the sides of the test tube (or any other glassware in which mercury is taken, mainly thermometers) on passing ozone through it. As the following reaction takes place between the nascent oxygen from ozone and mercury.
The formation of mercurous oxide is the cause of sticking.
This can be removed by washing with water, as is soluble in water.
On-air exposure of the Tailing of mercury signifies a change in the oxidation number by one.
Additional Information:
-In this reaction, the oxidation number of mercury changes from to . Thus, it is oxidized.
-The oxidation number of oxygen changes from to . Thus, it is reduced. Hence, the tailing of mercury is an intermolecular redox change.
-It is its innate property. It can be removed by adding some impurities like some other metal.
Note: The possibility to make a mistake is that when ozone reacts with mercury then mercurous oxide will be formed, not mercury(II) oxide .
Complete step-by-step answer:
When ozone is passed through mercury, it loses its meniscus and sticks to the glass due to the formation of the mercurous oxide. This is called the tailing of mercury. The meniscus can be restored by shaking it with water.
Simply, Tailing of mercury is defined as sticking of mercury to the sides of the test tube (or any other glassware in which mercury is taken, mainly thermometers) on passing ozone through it. As the following reaction takes place between the nascent oxygen from ozone and mercury.
The formation of mercurous oxide
This can be removed by washing with water, as
On-air exposure of the Tailing of mercury signifies a change in the oxidation number by one.
Additional Information:
-In this reaction, the oxidation number of mercury changes from
-The oxidation number of oxygen changes from
-It is its innate property. It can be removed by adding some impurities like some other metal.
Note: The possibility to make a mistake is that when ozone reacts with mercury then mercurous oxide
Latest Vedantu courses for you
Grade 10 | CBSE | SCHOOL | English
Vedantu 10 CBSE Pro Course - (2025-26)
School Full course for CBSE students
₹37,300 per year
Recently Updated Pages
Master Class 12 Economics: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 Maths: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 Biology: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 Physics: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 Business Studies: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 12 English: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Trending doubts
Which one is a true fish A Jellyfish B Starfish C Dogfish class 10 biology CBSE

The Equation xxx + 2 is Satisfied when x is Equal to Class 10 Maths

Which tributary of Indus originates from Himachal Pradesh class 10 social science CBSE

Why is there a time difference of about 5 hours between class 10 social science CBSE

Fill the blanks with proper collective nouns 1 A of class 10 english CBSE

Distinguish between ordinary light and laser light class 10 physics CBSE
