Question

Give reason for the following

Symbols of some elements contain two letters.

Answer 1

• A symbol is a short form that stands for an atom of a specific element.
• Each element has a specific symbol. For example, C stands for carbon.

Berzelius was the first to give chemical symbols to represent elements.

Rules for writing symbols to elements:

• Each element is denoted by the symbol which is usually the first letter of their English or Latin name. (Commonly non-metals). For example, Nitrogen-N, Oxygen-O
• When the first letter of two elements is the same then the next letter is used. The first letter is in upper case and the second in lower case. For example, Cobalt-Co, Calcium-Ca.
• When the first two letters of two elements are the same then the next prominent letter is used. For example, Magnesium-Mg, Manganese-Mn
• Some symbols are based on Latin or German or Greek names. For example, Potassium-K(kalium)

Thus when the names of two elements start with the common alphabet then the two letters are used to symbolize them. Hence symbols of some elements contain two letters.