Expert: Richard J. Raridon - 7/14/2005

Question
what dooes phospate mineral function do? and Mercury? Thank You.

Answer
There are different phosphate minerals from which the element phosphorus is obtained.  Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient.  Fertilizers generally contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (6,12,12) for example.  Mercury has many industrial uses.  It can be poisonous to people so it's generally not used in thermometers any more.  One use is in electrical switches.