Definition of Element Symbols



In chemistry, the elements, functional groups, and chemical compounds are assigned some abbreviations which are termed as chemical symbols. When these chemical symbols are given to the chemical elements, they are known as the element symbols. The element symbols typically contain a minimum of one and maximum of three letters in them and the very first letter is always capitalized by convention.

 


Moreover, in the formulas, the Latin symbols are also used. The three-lettered symbol is normally assigned to that element which is newly synthesized. These symbols make it easy for the chemists to recognize the elements.

 


Examples of Element Symbols:

The elements like carbon, nitrogen, fluorine, etc. are simply being assigned their first letter as symbols i.e., C, N, F respectively. Gold is given a symbol, Au, mercury Hg, platinum, Pt, etc.

 


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