Symbols of the Elements

SNC1D RHSA – Chemistry Name: ______Page: ____

Symbols of the Elements

I. Regular:

1.  Put the first letter of the elements’ name in capital: e.g. Carbon C, Boron B

2.  If there is a second letter, use lowercase!: e.g. Calcium Ca, Chlorine Cl

Atomic Number / Name / Symbol / Metal, Metalloid, Non-metal, alkali metal or Noble Gas?
1 / hydrogen / H / non-metal
2 / helium / He / Noble Gas
3 / lithium / Alkali metal
4 / Be
5 / B
6 / Non-metal
7 / nitrogen / N
8
9 / Non-metal
10 / neon
12 / Metal
13
14 / silicon / Metalloid
15
16 / sulfur
17 / Cl / Non-metal
18 / argon
20

II. Irregular:

The element symbol follows the Latin name (you don’t have to remember the Latin name!)

Atomic Number / Name / Latin Name / Symbol / Metal, Metalloid, Non-metal alkali metal or Noble Gas?
11 / sodium / natrium / Na
19 / kalium

Extra Challenge!

Find at least 2 elements whose names are derived from the names of planets of the solar system!

Atomic Number / Name / Symbol / Planet Named After
Uranus
Np
94

Some other Elements you should know by name and by symbol

I. Regular:

Atomic Number / Name / Symbol / Metal, Metalloid, Non-metal, alkali metal or Noble Gas?
25 / manganese / Mn
28 / Ni / Metal
33 / arsenic
35 / bromine
36 / Kr
53 / iodine
56 / barium / Metal
78 / Pt
88 / Metal

II. Irregular: (you don’t have to remember the Latin name!)

Atomic Number / Name / Latin Name / Symbol
26 / iron / ferrum / Fe
29 / cuprum
47 / argentum / Ag
50 / tin / stannum
51 / stibium / (Non-Metal)
74 / wolfram (german name) / (Used for lightbulb filaments)
79 / aurum
80 / hydrargyrum / (liquid state at room temperature!)

Optional – Can you guess where the following elements got their names? (You can find some of the names in your textbook!)

Atomic Number / Name / Symbol / Named After
84 / Po / Poland
87 / francium
Cm / Pierre and Marie Curie, husband and wife scientists
99
Enrico Fermi, Italian physicist
101 / Md