Question

Write the chemical symbol for each of the following elements: (a) lithium (b) argon (c) magnesium (d) manganese (e) beryllium (f) silicon (g) mercury (h) titanium

Short answer

(a) Li, (b) Ar, (c) Mg, (d) Mn, (e) Be, (f) Si, (g) Hg, (h) Ti

Step-by-step solution

Identify Lithium Symbol

Lithium is the third element on the periodic table. Its chemical symbol is denoted by "Li."

Identify Argon Symbol

Argon is a noble gas found in the 18th group of the periodic table. Its chemical symbol is "Ar."

Identify Magnesium Symbol

Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal located in the second group. Its chemical symbol is "Mg."

Identify Manganese Symbol

Manganese is a transition metal, part of the 7th group on the periodic table. Its chemical symbol is "Mn."

Identify Beryllium Symbol

Beryllium is an alkaline earth metal, located in the second group of the periodic table. Its chemical symbol is "Be."

Identify Silicon Symbol

Silicon is a metalloid located in group 14 of the periodic table. Its chemical symbol is "Si."

Identify Mercury Symbol

Mercury is a transition metal found in the 12th group. Its chemical symbol is "Hg."

Identify Titanium Symbol

Titanium is a transition metal located in group 4. Its chemical symbol is "Ti."

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The periodic table is an organized chart of chemical elements that are arranged based on increasing atomic number. It’s like a map for understanding the vast world of chemical elements. Each element is placed in a specific location due to its atomic structure and chemical properties.
Elements are arranged in rows, called periods, and columns, called groups. Each part of the periodic table has a specific meaning. For example, as you move from top to bottom in a group, you will notice that elements have similar chemical behavior. Conversely, moving across a period from left to right, the chemical properties of elements change gradually.

• The first period consists of only two elements: hydrogen and helium.
• The subsequent periods contain more elements, increasing with the elements filling further electron shells.
• The periodic table also provides insights into the atomic mass, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties of elements.

Understanding the periodic table provides a foundation for exploring complex chemical reactions and interactions between different elements.

Element Groups

Element groups are vertical columns on the periodic table. Elements within a group share similar properties and react in similar ways. This similarity is because they have the same number of electrons in their outer shell, which is critical for chemical bonding.
There are 18 numbered groups in the periodic table, and each group has its unique characteristics. For instance:

• Group 1 elements, known as alkali metals, are highly reactive.
• Group 2 elements are called alkaline earth metals, such as beryllium (Be) and magnesium (Mg), known for forming basic oxides and hydroxides.
• Group 17 contains the halogens, which are very reactive nonmetals.
• Group 18 elements are the noble gases, which are odorless, colorless, and have very low reactivity.

Recognizing element groups helps predict how an element will react chemically and what type of compounds it will form.

Chemical Elements

Chemical elements are pure substances consisting of only one type of atom. Every element has a unique number of protons in its atomic nucleus, known as the atomic number. This number is the defining characteristic of an element. For example, lithium (Li) has three protons, therefore it is the third element on the periodic table.
Each chemical element is represented by a one- or two-letter symbol. These symbols are universally recognized; for instance:

• Hydrogen is represented by "H" and is the simplest element with an atomic number of 1.
• Silicon is denoted by "Si" and is crucial in electronics and computer technology.
• Mercury, symbolized as "Hg," is unique for being liquid at room temperature.

Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means. They are the building blocks of all matter, and chemists learn about them to understand and form chemical reactions to create a variety of substances. Each element has its own properties that determine its usage in technology, medicine, and industry.