Chemical symbol

Definition

A chemical symbol is a one- or two-letter abbreviation used to represent an element. Each symbol is derived from the element's name, often in Latin.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A chemical symbol usually consists of one capital letter or a capital letter followed by a lowercase letter.
2. The periodic table assigns each element a unique chemical symbol.
3. Symbols are standardized internationally by IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry).
4. Some symbols are derived from Latin names, such as 'Na' for sodium (Natrium) and 'Fe' for iron (Ferrum).
5. Chemical symbols are used in chemical equations to denote elements involved in reactions.

Review Questions

• What is the chemical symbol for gold?
• Which organization standardizes chemical symbols internationally?
• How would you write the symbol for an element with the Latin name 'Stannum'?

Related terms

Atomic Number: The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's position on the periodic table.

Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.

Ion: An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.