Question: besides themometers what other uses do bromine and mercury have?

Lindy Heath answered on 19 Jun 2012:

Both bromine and mercury have lots of different uses. Bromine acts as an oxidiser so its useful for many different reactions in the lab. Bromide compounds (compounds containing bromine) are also useful flame retardants and they are used in medicine in the form of potassium bromide. Bromine is a pretty nasty fuming liquid at room temperature which is both toxic and corrosive. One of the most common uses for mercury is in amalgam fillings that you get at the dentist (the grey material that dentists use to fill holes in your teeth!) although mercury is extremely toxic so it is used in very small amounts in your fillings.