They will also appear frequently in the readings, the lectures, and the problems so that with some effort and persistence they will hopefully become more familiar than your neighbors.Īn important aspect of the elements, which may not be obvious, is that the symbol represents a single atom of the element. Learning the names and symbols for the common elements is very much like learning the names of your neighbors: you must memorize them through repetition. Sn = tin (Latin, Stannum) Cu = copper (Latin, Cuperum) W = tungsten (German, Wolfram) Sb = antimony (Latin, Stibnum) K = potassium (Latin, Kalium) Pb = lead (Latin, Plumbum) Na = sodium (Latin, Natrium) Ag = silver (Latin, Argentum) The symbol is not always an abbreviation of the elements English name: the symbol is sometimes an abbreviation of the elements name in another language such as Latin. All symbols consist of one or two letters with the first letter ALWAYS being UPPER CASE and the second letter, if required, is always lower case. Each element has been assigned a name and a symbol, which in this case are oxygen and O, respectively. Atomic mass numbers and atomic numbers for the elements will not be discussed here, but their positions are shown for reinforcement. The example shown is of the element oxygen. Elements are represented as shown in the figure below:
With this in mind, it is appropriate that the simplest case be examined first. However, it must be remembered that even very simple can be very difficult when the basics are not understood. This shorthand is systematic and, for most materials, it is simple. Chemists use a form of shorthand to represent the elements, ions, and compounds that we investigate. Fundamental to the proper understanding and application of the rules of nomenclature is the understanding of the meaning and significance of the symbolism utilized.
0 kommentar(er)
