1

Chapter 3 Atoms and Elements

3.2Elements and Symbols

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

2

Elements are

• pure substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by ordinary laboratory processes.

• the building blocks of matter.

gold carbon aluminum

Elements

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

3

Sources of Some Element Names

Some elements are

named for planets,

mythological figures,

minerals, colors,

scientists, and

places.

4

A symbol• represents the name of an element.• consists of 1 or 2 letters. • starts with a capital letter.

1-Letter Symbols 2-Letter Symbols C carbon Co cobalt N nitrogen Ca calcium F fluorine Al aluminum O oxygen Mg magnesium

Symbols of Elements

5

Several symbols are derived from Latin names as shownbelow.

Cu, copper (cuprum) Au, gold (aurum)

Fe, iron (ferrum) Ag, silver (argentum)

Symbols from Latin Names

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

6

Physical Properties of Elements

The physical properties of an element • are observed or measured without changing its

identity.• include the following:

Shape Density

Color Melting point

Odor and taste Boiling Point

7

Physical Properties of Elements

Some physical properties ofcopper are:

Color Red-orangeLuster Very shinyMelting point 1083°CBoiling point 2567°CConduction of electricity ExcellentConduction of heat Excellent

8

Select the correct symbol for each.A. Calcium

1) C 2) Ca 3) CA

B. Sulfur 1) S 2) Sl 3) Su

C. Iron 1) Ir 2) FE 3) Fe

Learning Check

9

Select the correct symbol for each.

A. Calcium

2) Ca

B. Sulfur

1) S

C. Iron

3) Fe

Solution

10

Select the correct name for each symbol.A. N

1) neon 2) nitrogen 3) nickel

B. P 1) potassium 2) phlogiston 3) phosphorus

C. Ag 1) silver 2) agean 3) gold

Learning Check

11

Select the correct name for each:

A. N

2) nitrogen

B. P

3) phosphorus

C. Ag

1) silver

Solution