Mercury’s natural state is where the atoms are close to each other but are still free to pass by each other. In which state(s) could mercury naturally exist?

Question

gas
liquid
solid or liquid
solid or gas

Answer 1

Mercury, at room temperature, exists as a liquid. Its atoms are close enough to each other to form a liquid, yet they are free to move past one another, which is characteristic of liquids. In colder conditions, mercury can solidify, so it can exist as a solid as well, but under standard conditions, it is primarily found in the liquid state.

Thus, the correct answer is solid or liquid.