Element Detective: Symbols & Names
Match element names to their unique chemical symbols.
What this lesson covers
Why it matters
Imagine a periodic table where every element wears a disguise, some borrowed from ancient Roman names.
Predict first
Why does Silver use the symbol 'Ag' instead of 'Si'?
Many symbols are historical relics. Silver is Ag (Argentum), Gold is Au (Aurum), and Iron is Fe (Ferrum).
- Symbols are just the first two letters of the English name
- It comes from its Latin name, Argentum — correct
- Ag stands for 'Alloy Gold'
What you do
Each element hides behind a short symbol — often borrowed from its old Latin name. Match every element to its correct chemical symbol.
Check yourself
Which element has the symbol 'Na'?
Na comes from the Latin 'Natrium'. Nitrogen is N, Neon is Ne, and Nickel is Ni.
If you see the symbol 'K' on a label, which element is it?
K stands for Potassium, derived from the Neo-Latin 'Kalium'. Krypton is Kr.
Why is the symbol for Iron 'Fe' and not 'Ir'?
Iridium is Ir. Iron's symbol Fe honors its Latin root, Ferrum.
- Nitrogen
- Sodium — correct
- Neon
- Nickel
- Krypton
- Potassium — correct
- Kalium
- Ir is Iridium; Fe comes from Latin 'Ferrum' — correct
- Iron is a mixture, so it has no single symbol
- Fe stands for 'Ferrous Element'