Question

101\. Give the chemical symbol for each of the following elements. a. silver b. aluminum c. cadmium d. antimony e. tin f. arsenic

Short answer

a. Ag b. Al c. Cd d. Sb e. Sn f. As

Step-by-step solution

a. Silver

The chemical symbol for silver is Ag (from Latin: Argentum).

b. Aluminum

The chemical symbol for aluminum is Al.

c. Cadmium

The chemical symbol for cadmium is Cd.

d. Antimony

The chemical symbol for antimony is Sb (from Latin: Stibium).

e. Tin

The chemical symbol for tin is Sn (from Latin: Stannum).

f. Arsenic

The chemical symbol for arsenic is As.

Key concepts

The Periodic Table

The periodic table is essentially a master chart showcasing all known chemical elements in an organized manner. Elements in the periodic table are arranged according to their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. Structures of horizontal rows called periods and vertical columns known as groups or families categorize elements with similar properties. One of the table's outstanding features is its predictive power in terms of the properties of elements not yet discovered when the system was devised by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869.

Understanding the layout of the periodic table can aid in predicting the behavior of elements during chemical reactions and is fundamental to the study of chemistry. As you familiarize yourself with the periodic table, you’ll notice periodic trends such as electronegativity, ionization energy, and atomic radius that can help explain and predict the elements’ chemical behavior.

Chemical Elements

Chemical elements are the building blocks of matter, each consisting of only one type of atom. Currently, 118 elements are identified, with each having its unique physical and chemical properties. For example, silver (Ag) is a metal known for its conductivity and malleability, while arsenic (As) is recognized for its poisonous nature.

Elements can combine in numerous ways to create compounds, which are substances made up of two or more elements bonded together in fixed proportions. It's essential to recognize that an element's properties can be very different from those of the compounds they can form. For instance, sodium is a reactive metal, and chlorine is a poisonous gas, but together, as sodium chloride (NaCl), they form table salt, a harmless substance we consume regularly.

Element Symbols

Element symbols are concise, one to three-letter abbreviations of the chemical elements' names, widely used in the scientific community for convenience and standardization. The symbols derive from either modern language names or traditional Latin names, such as Ag for silver, from the Latin 'Argentum.' The first letter of an element’s symbol is always capitalized, while the second (and sometimes third) is in lowercase.

Understanding these symbols is crucial for communication between chemists and clarity in scientific documentation. For instance, when you see 'H₂O', you know it refers to water, which consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Familiarity with element symbols allows for quick identification and understanding of compounds and reactions without the need for lengthy descriptions.