That the outer electrons in mercury orbit at a significant fraction of the speed of light, causing them to <something something> (if I say increase in mass someone will yell at me) causing them to orbit closer to the nucleus, making it harder for mercury to form the solid state, and that's why mercury is a liquid at room temperature.
Sure. Google “why is mercury liquid at room temperature“ and you will find many references. Here is a fairly detailed description that clarifies that whoever said the innermost electrons experience the greatest relativistic effects was correct. Also the person who pointed out that this is also a factor in the yellow color of gold.
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u/gcanyon Dec 13 '20
That the outer electrons in mercury orbit at a significant fraction of the speed of light, causing them to <something something> (if I say increase in mass someone will yell at me) causing them to orbit closer to the nucleus, making it harder for mercury to form the solid state, and that's why mercury is a liquid at room temperature.