Question

Why is the symbol '$\mathrm{S}$‘ for sulphur, but ’$\mathrm{Na}$‘ for sodium and ’$\mathrm{Si}$' for silicon?

Answer 1

Symbol: An element symbol is a one- or two-letter abbreviation for a chemical element name. When a symbol consists of two letters, the first letter is always capitalized, while the second letter is lowercase.

While naming an element, the initial letter of the element is capitalized (e.g. for sulphur, we use the symbol '$\mathrm{S}$‘).

If the letter has already been adopted, for example, Sodium/Natrium, we use the sign ’$\mathrm{Na}$', which is derived from the Latin word for the element name.

In some circumstances, we capitalize the first letter followed by a small letter from the name (e.g. for silicon, we use the symbol $\mathrm{Si}$).