Question

Give the chemical symbol for each of the following elements. a. iodine b. silicon c. tungsten d. iron e. copper f. cobalt

Short answer

a. Iodine: \(I\) b. Silicon: \(Si\) c. Tungsten: \(W\) d. Iron: \(Fe\) e. Copper: \(Cu\) f. Cobalt: \(Co\)

Step-by-step solution

Finding the chemical symbol for iodine

First, locate iodine on the periodic table. It is in Group 17 and Period 5. The chemical symbol for iodine is 'I'.

Finding the chemical symbol for silicon

Next, find silicon on the periodic table. It is in Group 14 and Period 3. The chemical symbol for silicon is 'Si'.

Finding the chemical symbol for tungsten

Now, locate tungsten on the periodic table. It is in Group 6 and Period 6. The chemical symbol for tungsten is 'W', which comes from its Latin name, 'wolfram.'

Finding the chemical symbol for iron

Find iron on the periodic table. It is in Group 8 and Period 4. The chemical symbol for iron is 'Fe', which comes from its Latin name, 'ferrum.'

Finding the chemical symbol for copper

Next, locate copper on the periodic table. It is in Group 11 and Period 4. The chemical symbol for copper is 'Cu', which comes from its Latin name, 'cuprum.'

Finding the chemical symbol for cobalt

Finally, find cobalt on the periodic table. It is in Group 9 and Period 4. The chemical symbol for cobalt is 'Co'. To summarize, the chemical symbols for each of the elements are as follows: a. Iodine: I b. Silicon: Si c. Tungsten: W d. Iron: Fe e. Copper: Cu f. Cobalt: Co

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The periodic table is a fascinating tool in chemistry that organizes all known chemical elements in a structured way based on their atomic properties. Each element is placed in a specific spot on the table defined by its atomic number, which represents the number of protons in its nucleus. This number not only determines an element's position but also its fundamental characteristics.

Elements in the periodic table are arranged in rows, known as periods, and columns, known as groups or families. These arrangements help predict the properties and behaviors of the elements. For example:

• Periods: Horizontal rows in the periodic table. Elements in the same period have the same number of atomic orbitals.
• Groups: Vertical columns that categorize elements with similar chemical and physical properties.

The table also helps chemists understand the electron configurations of elements, which are essential for predicting how these elements will interact with others in chemical reactions. By referring to the periodic table, one can quickly identify the element's symbol, atomic number, and approximate atomic mass.

Chemical Elements

Chemical elements are pure substances that consist entirely of one type of atom. They are the building blocks of matter and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Each element is uniquely defined by its number of protons, known as the atomic number.

Every element has a one- or two-letter chemical symbol that makes it easy to reference in chemical equations and discussions. For example:

• Oxygen: O
• Hydrogen: H
• Sodium: Na

These symbols often derive from the first letter(s) of the element's name in English or Latin, which will be further discussed below. Understanding these symbols is crucial for learning about chemical reactions, as they provide a shorthand way to describe the transformation of elements into compounds or other elements through chemical processes.

Element Groups

Element groups in the periodic table consist of elements that share common properties. There are 18 groups in total, each designated by a number and often a special name, such as halogens or noble gases. These groups are crucial for classifying elements with similar traits.

For example:

• Group 1: Known as the alkali metals, includes elements like lithium (Li) and sodium (Na).
• Group 17: Known as halogens, includes elements like fluorine (F) and iodine (I).
• Group 18: Known as noble gases, includes elements like helium (He) and neon (Ne).

Elements within the same group usually have similar valence electron configurations, leading to similar chemical behaviors. This characteristic makes predicting an element's reactions and compounds more manageable based on its group position.

Latin Names of Elements

The Latin names of elements have historical significance and are often used to derive the chemical symbols that might not correspond with the element's English name. This dating back to times when Latin was the language of science.

For instance, the element tungsten has the symbol 'W' because of its Latin name 'wolfram.' Similarly:

• Iron (Fe) comes from 'ferrum.'
• Copper (Cu) is derived from 'cuprum.'
• Sodium (Na) originates from 'natrium.'

These Latin-derived symbols reflect the historical roots of chemical science and can be fascinating for those interested in etymology as well as chemistry. Knowing these origins is beneficial when learning about chemical nomenclature and the history of scientific discovery.