Question

State the atomic number for each of the following elements: (a) argentum (b) plumbum (c) stannum (d) aurum

Short answer

Silver (Ag) is 47, Lead (Pb) is 82, Tin (Sn) is 50, Gold (Au) is 79.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Modern Name of the Element

First, we need to translate the given Latin names of the elements to their modern periodic table names: (a) Argentum is silver, (b) Plumbum is lead, (c) Stannum is tin, (d) Aurum is gold.

Find the Atomic Number from the Periodic Table

Using the periodic table, find the atomic number for each element: (a) Silver (Argentum) has an atomic number of 47. (b) Lead (Plumbum) has an atomic number of 82. (c) Tin (Stannum) has an atomic number of 50. (d) Gold (Aurum) has an atomic number of 79.

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The Periodic Table is like a giant map of 118 known elements. It organizes these elements in a way that helps us understand their properties and how they relate to each other. Each element on this table has a unique atomic number, which tells us how many protons are in the nucleus of that element's atoms. This number is key because it determines the element's identity. For instance, if an atom has 47 protons, it can only be silver. Understanding the structure and layout of the periodic table can make finding an element's atomic number much easier.

• Periods: These are the horizontal rows on the table. Each period represents a new layer of electrons being added to atoms as we move across.
• Groups: The vertical columns are called groups and elements in the same group share similar properties.

Mastering the periodic table involves familiarizing oneself with how elements are placed based on their atomic structure and properties. This allows for predicting chemical reactions and understanding element behavior in different situations.

Latin element names

Understanding some elements can be tricky because their names come from Latin. Many elements were discovered and documented during times when Latin was commonly used in science. The Latin names often give insight into an element's characteristics or origin. Here's how some of the Latin names translate:

• Argentum - This translates to silver, a precious metal known for its shininess and use in jewelry.
• Plumbum - This means lead, a dense, heavy metal that has been used since ancient times for pipes and containers.
• Stannum - Known as tin in English, this metal is often used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion.
• Aurum - Reflecting the element gold, aurum is associated with wealth and luxury.

Latin names can serve as reminders of the rich history of element discovery and early chemistry.

Element symbol identification

Each element in the periodic table is represented by a unique one or two-letter symbol. This symbol is generally derived from the element's English or Latin name, making it essential to understand both to identify elements correctly. For example:

• Ag - This is the symbol for silver, derived from its Latin name, argentum.
• Pb - The symbol for lead, coming from plumbum.
• Sn - Represents tin, based on stannum.
• Au - This symbol stands for gold, from aurum.

These symbols allow scientists worldwide to communicate clearly and consistently about chemicals, even if they speak different languages. When learning chemistry, familiarizing oneself with these symbols can greatly aid in understanding chemical equations and reactions.