ELEMENTS AND SYMBOLS IN ELEMENTS

 

ELEMENTS AND SYMBOLS IN ELEMENTS

Element:

Definition:

An Element is a pure substance which cannot be split up into other simpler substances by any ordinary physical or chemical processes.

Properties of elements:

Following are the properties of elements that are given below:

Fundamental unit:

The fundamental unit of an element is the atom.  An atom is the smallest particle of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction.

Nature of atoms:

Each element consists of only one kind of atoms.

Decomposition of elements:

An element can never be converted into any other simpler substance by ordinary physical or chemical reactions.

Number of elements:

Scientists have discovered approximately 118 elements, out of which 92 are naturally occurring elements, while the rest have been artificially prepared in the laboratory.

Examples:

·         Gold

·         Mercury

·         Sodium etc

Symbol of elements:

History:

In 1814, Berzelius suggested the system for representing elements with symbols.

Definition:

The shortest name of an element is called symbol.

Representation of element:

In most cases, the first letter of the name of an element is taken in capital letter as the symbol. In some cases, where the first letter has already been used, then the initial letters in capital together with a small any other letter from its name are used.

Examples:

Element	Symbol	Element	Symbol
Carbon	C	Fluorine	F
Hydrogen	H	Oxygen	O
Nitrogen	N	Sulphur	S
Aluminum	Al	Calcium	Ca
Magnesium	Mg	Lithium	Li

 

            Elements whose names and symbols begin with different letters:

 

Name of element		Symbols
Antimony	Stibium	Sb
Gold	Aurum	Au
Copper	Cuprum	Cu
Iron	Ferrum	Fe
Lead	Plumbum	Pb
Mercury	Hydragyrum	Hg