• Question: why do different elemants have different symbols and how did ppl cum up with the label

    Asked by littlemissknowitall to Douglas, Matt, Tom on 24 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Matthew Hurley

      Matthew Hurley answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      The elements have different symbols as a kind of short way of writing a lot of information quickly. THe periodic table was put together by a RUssian – Dmitri Mendeleev – he wrote down all the elements he knew and where they should go in terms of size etc. People have added to it over time.

    • Photo: Douglas Blane

      Douglas Blane answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Most of the symbols for elements come from their Latin names. Because when they were discovered Latin was the language of educated people, like scientists.

      At one time all the lectures at universities in every subject were given in Latin, and people could travel around Europe talking easily to other educated people in Latin.

      So you have Au for the element gold, which is short for the Latin aurum. Cu for copper which is short for cuprum. Pb for lead which is short for plumbum. And so on.

      Not all elements have letters from Latin names, especially those discovered most recently. But many of them do.

Comments