A student breaks a thermometer and spills most of the mercury (Hg) onto the floor of a laboratory that measures 15.2 m long, 6.6 m wide, and 2.4 m high.
(a) Calculate the mass of mercury vapor (in grams) in the room at 20°C. The vapor pressure of mercury at 20°C is 1.7 3 10 26 atm.
(b) Does the concentration of mercury vapor exceed the air quality regulation of 0.050 mg Hg/m3 of air?
(c) One way to treat small quantities of spilled mercury is to spray sulfur powder over the metal. Suggest a physical and a chemical reason for this action.