Mercury is known for its unique properties, including its non-sticky nature. There are several factors that contribute to mercury's non-stickiness:
Low cohesive forces: Cohesive forces are the attractive forces between molecules of the same substance. Mercury has very weak cohesive forces due to the nature of its metallic bonding. This weak cohesion allows mercury to flow easily and prevents it from sticking to surfaces.
Low surface tension: Surface tension is a property that determines the ability of a liquid to spread or adhere to a surface. Mercury has one of the lowest surface tensions among liquids, which means it tends to minimize its contact with surfaces. As a result, it forms spherical droplets and does not easily wet or stick to most materials.
Nonpolar nature: Mercury is a nonpolar substance, meaning it lacks a significant separation of positive and negative charges within its molecules. Nonpolar substances generally have weaker interactions with polar surfaces. This nonpolar characteristic of mercury reduces its affinity for polar materials, making it less likely to stick to them.
High density: Mercury is a dense liquid, which means it has a relatively high mass per unit volume. This high density contributes to its non-stickiness since it tends to roll off or separate from surfaces due to gravity.
It's important to note that while mercury is non-sticky to most materials, it can adhere to certain substances under specific conditions. For example, it can form alloys with some metals or react with certain elements and compounds, leading to adhesion. However, in general, mercury's low cohesion, low surface tension, nonpolar nature, and high density make it non-sticky in typical situations.