Question

Give the name of the element. a) \(\mathrm{Si}\) b) \(\mathrm{Mn}\) c) Fe d) \(\mathrm{Cr}\)

Short answer

a) Silicon, b) Manganese, c) Iron, d) Chromium.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Element with Symbol Si

The symbol \( \mathrm{Si} \) represents silicon. Silicon is a chemical element with the atomic number 14. It is a metalloid and is commonly used in electronics as a semiconductor.

Identify the Element with Symbol Mn

The symbol \( \mathrm{Mn} \) represents manganese. Manganese is a transition metal with the atomic number 25. It is used in the production of steel and batteries.

Identify the Element with Symbol Fe

The symbol Fe represents iron. Iron is a transition metal with the atomic number 26. It is the main component of steel and is one of the most common elements on Earth.

Identify the Element with Symbol Cr

The symbol \( \mathrm{Cr} \) represents chromium. Chromium is a transition metal with the atomic number 24. It is used for making stainless steel and as a decorative coating due to its shiny appearance.

Key concepts

Chemical Symbols

Chemical symbols are shorthand notations for chemical elements. Typically consisting of one or two letters, these symbols are used universally to represent elements in the scientific community. For example, the symbol \( \mathrm{Si} \) stands for silicon, while \( \mathrm{Mn} \) is the symbol for manganese. These notations are internationally recognized and provide a simple way to quickly reference specific elements.

• Symbols may derive from either the English name of the element or its Latin name. For instance, Fe stands for iron (from the Latin 'ferrum').
• Symbols help avoid the confusion that would arise from writing full element names in chemical equations and reactions.

Understanding these symbols is crucial for anyone studying chemistry or related fields, as they form the basis of chemical nomenclature.

Periodic Table

The periodic table is an organized arrangement of all known chemical elements. Designed by Dmitri Mendeleev, it classifies elements by increasing atomic number, and groups them based on similar chemical properties. This layout allows scientists to understand relationships between different elements.

• Each element has a specific place on the table, determined by its atomic number and electron configuration.
• The table is divided into rows called 'periods' and columns known as 'groups'. Elements in the same group display similar chemical characteristics due to having the same number of valence electrons.

Studying the periodic table reveals trends in element properties, such as metallicity and reactivity, making it a fundamental tool in chemistry education.

Atomic Numbers

An element's atomic number is the number of protons found in the nucleus of its atoms. This number is crucial because it determines the identity of the element. For example, silicon with an atomic number of 14 is different from manganese, which has 25.

• The atomic number also indicates the number of electrons in a neutral atom, which defines the element’s electrical charge and bonding behavior.
• In the periodic table, elements are arranged in ascending order according to their atomic numbers.

Understanding atomic numbers is vital for distinguishing between different elements and predicting their chemical behavior.

Transition Metals

Transition metals are a group of elements found in the center of the periodic table, specifically in groups 3 through 12. Characterized by the presence of d electrons, these metals include well-known elements like iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr), both featured in the exercise.

• Transition metals are known for their ability to form colorful compounds and exhibit multiple oxidation states.
• They are widely used in industrial applications, like the production of alloys and catalysts.

Their versatile chemical properties make transition metals essential in both technological applications and biological systems. This category of elements exemplifies the diverse nature of metals on the periodic table.