Chapter 2, Problem 56A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The symbols for the elements tungsten and mercury need to be used to explain the system of symbols for elements.

Concept Introduction: Elements is a substances that cannot be decomposed further into simpler substances by any chemical process. They are arranged in the periodic table in order of increasing atomic number.

Explanation of Solution

The symbol for an element comes from the name of the element, but not all elements have English or Latin names. Some of the names of the elements are Greek words thus, their symbols are taken from those names. As given in the question, a symbol for tungsten is W which comes from its German name wolfram. Similarly, a symbol for mercury is Hg from its Greek name hydrargyrum.

Here, symbols are abbreviations for chemical elements in chemistry. In symbols for elements, one or two letters from their English, Latin names or Greek names can be written. In any elemental symbol, the first alphabet is always capitalized.

Some examples of symbols for elements are as follows:

Calcium-Ca

Magnesium-Mg

Sodium-Na (from the Latin name natrium).

Chlorine-Cl