Writing the symbols of elements
How element symbols are formed.
One symbol, every language
A scientist in India, one in Japan and one in Brazil all write Fe when they mean iron.
Why do scientists use symbols instead of full names?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Element symbols, approved by IUPAC, are usually the first one or two letters of the name, sometimes the first and a later letter, or from Latin, Greek or German names; the first letter is always capital, any second letter small.
One symbol, every language
A scientist in India, one in Japan and one in Brazil all write Fe when they mean iron.
Why do scientists use symbols instead of full names?
- Symbols are understood worldwide, whatever the language
- Symbols are secret codes
- Names of elements are too long to write down
How is the symbol formed?
Sort each element into the group that shows where its symbol comes from.
Rules for symbols
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) approves the names and symbols of elements. A symbol such as Co has a capital first letter and a small second letter.
Element symbols, approved by IUPAC, are usually the first one or two letters of the name, sometimes the first letter and a later letter, or come from Latin, Greek or German names. The first letter is always a capital and any second letter is small (Co, not CO).
Notes
Symbols are the first one or two letters of the name, the first letter and a later letter, or from Latin, Greek or German names. Capital first letter, small second letter.
Check yourself
Which is the correct symbol for cobalt?
Where does the symbol Fe for iron come from?
Who approves the names and symbols of elements today?
The symbol Zn for zinc is formed from …
- CO. The second letter of a symbol is written small, so Co is correct.
- Co — correct. Yes!
- co. The first letter of a symbol is always a capital letter.
- The English name iron. Fe is taken from the Latin ferrum, not from the English word.
- The German name wolfram. The German name wolfram gives the symbol W for tungsten.
- The Latin name ferrum — correct. Yes!
- IUPAC — correct. Yes!
- Berzelius. Berzelius suggested in 1813 that symbols should come from Latin names.
- Dalton. Dalton introduced the first pictorial symbols in 1803.
- the first two letters of the name. The first two letters of zinc would give Zi.
- the first letter and a letter other than the second letter — correct. Yes!
- a Latin name. Zn is formed from the first letter and a later letter of zinc.