Symbols of Elements
The abbreviated form of English or Latin name of an element is called its
symbol. Each element has its own symbol. There is a system of writing a symbol
of an element.
a) The first letter of an English name of an element is usually the symbol and
that has to be written using capital letters.
Symbols of Elements
| Element | Symbol |
| Hydrogen | H |
| Oxygen | O |
| Nitrogen | N |
b) When the first letter of two or more elements is the same, one of them is
expressed by the first letter. The other elements(s) get the first two
letters; the first letter is capitalized, followed by a small hand second
letter.
Symbols of Elements (First letter same)
| Element | Symbol |
| Carbon | C |
| Chlorine | Cl |
| Calcium | Ca |
| Cobalt | Co |
| Cadmium | Cd |
| Chromium | Cr |
c) Some elements have got their symbols from their Latin name.
Symbols of Elements (Latin Name)
| Element | Latin Name | Symbol |
| Sodium | Natrium | Na |
| Copper | Cuprum | Cu |
| Potassium | Kalium | K |
| Silver | Argentum | Ag |
| Tin | Stannum | Sn |
| Antimony | Stibium | Sb |
| Gold | Aurum | Au |
| Lead | Plumbum | Pb |
| Tungsten | Wolfram | W |
| Iron | Ferrum | Fe |
| Mercury | Hydrargyrum | Hg |
