THERMODYNAMICS OF MERCURY VAPORS

A quantum statistical approach is used to give a unified treatment of the metal-nonmetal-and liquid-vapour-transitions in mercury. The limit ing cases of the atomic vapour at low densities and the metallic fluid at high densities are included. A simple plasma model with only long range Coulomb forces has to be improved by considering also short rang e interactions. Estimates are given for the critical point of the liqu id-gas phase transition, as well as for the Mott density indicating th e metal-nonmetal transition.