Chemical Elements and Their Symbols

These flashcards cover key concepts about chemical elements, their symbols, and the significance of the periodic table.

Chemical Element

Basic substances that cannot be broken down by chemical means and are the building blocks of matter.

Periodic Table

A table that organizes elements by increasing atomic number and groups elements with similar properties.

Chemical Symbol

A one- or two-letter abbreviation for a chemical element, with the first letter capitalized and the second letter (if any) in lowercase.

Why are symbols important?

They shorten writing in chemical equations and serve as a universal language for scientists.

Gold

Chemical symbol Au; used in jewelry and electronics.

Mercury

Chemical symbol Hg; the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

Helium

Chemical symbol He; used in balloons because it is lighter than air.

Origin of Symbols

Some symbols come from English names (e.g., O for Oxygen) and others from Latin names (e.g., Aurum for Gold -> Au, Ferrum for Iron -> Fe).