Question

Which among the following is the chemical symbol for iron?

• A. $\text{K}$
• B. $\text{Fe}$
• C. $\text{Zn}$
• D. $\text{Na}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $\text{Fe}$

$\bullet$ Chemical symbols for most of the elements are derived from their English names.

$\bullet$ For some elements the first letter of their english name is used as their symbols. For example carbon is represented by the symbol C.

$\bullet$ For some elements, the first two letters of their english names is used as their symbols. For example aluminium is represented by the symbol Al.

$\bullet$ For other elements, the first and the next prominent letters of their English names are used as their symbols. For example, chlorine is represented by Cl.

$\bullet$ For the remaining elements, their symbols are derived from their Latin names. The table below lists these elements.
$$\begin{array}{ccc}\text{English name}& \text{Latin name}& \text{Symbol}\\ \text{Gold}& \text{Aurum}& \text{Au}\\ \text{Silver}& \text{Argentum}& \text{Ar}\\ \text{Iron}& \text{Ferrum}& \text{Fe}\end{array}$$
Hence, the chemical symbol of iron is Fe.