Chemical symbol

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/chemical-symbol

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the symbolic convention?First letter capitalized, second letter (if present) lowercase
2. What is the nomenclature basis?Predominantly derived from Latin and Greek names of elements
3. What are chemical symbols and why are they important?Chemical symbols are one- or two-letter codes that identify elements. They let scientists write formulas and reactions quickly and clearly.
4. How did scientists decide on the letters for each element?Jöns Jacob Berzelius chose the first letter of the element’s Latin name, capitalized. If two elements share that letter, a second, lowercase letter from the name is added.

Atomic Number: The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, defining an element.
Stoichiometry: The quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
Nomenclature: A system of names or terms used in a particular science or discipline.