Question

Define the term chemical symbol

Answer 1

Chemical symbol

• Chemical symbols are the abbreviations used to denote the elements, like a short form.
• Every element are denoted by its chemical symbol in a chemical formula of a compound.
• Generally first letter(capital letter) of the element is used to represent its symbol of it. for example, H for hydrogen, O for Oxygen, etc.
• If two or more elements have the same first letter, then the first letter is followed by the next non-repeating letter is used as a chemical symbol. For example, chlorine, and cadmium, both have the first letter as C so it is followed by the next non-repeating letter(small letter) such as Cl for chlorine and Cd for cadmium.
• Sometimes, the symbol is derived from its Latin name also. For example, sodium, its symbol is Na derived from its Latin name.