Chemistry (12th Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0132525763
ISBN 13: 978-0-13252-576-3

Chapter 2 - Matter and Change - 2 Assessment - Page 55: 56

Answer

Chemical symbols allow us to represent chemical formulas, as well as identify changes in chemical reactions and the ratios between elements in chemical compounds.

Work Step by Step

The system of symbols for elements we use nowadays is based on a system developed by Berzelius. Each element is represented by a one or two letter chemical symbol. The first letter is capitalized while the second letter is lowercase. It is based on Latin names for elements. Some exceptions, such as Hg and W, were derived from the Greek and the German. Chemical symbols allow us to represent chemical formulas, as well as identify changes in chemical reactions and the ratios between elements in chemical compounds.
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