A student breaks a thermometer and spills most of the mercury (Hg) onto the floor of laboratory that determines 6.6 m wide, 15.2 m long, and the 2.4 m high.
1. Determine the mass of mercury vapor (in grams) in the room at 20 degrees Celsius.
2. Explain does the concentration of mercury vapor exceed the air quality regulation of the 0.050 mg Hg m^ -3 of air?
3. The vapor pressure of mercury at 20 degrees Celsius is 1.7 x 10^-6 atm. One way to treat small quantities of spilled mercury is to spray powdered sulfur over the metal. Suggest a physical and a chemical reason for this treatment.