3224 Topper 21 110 1 2 392 1102 Basics of Chemistry Up201508251715 14405031
3224 Topper 21 110 1 2 392 1102 Basics of Chemistry Up201508251715 14405031
Basics of Chemistry
Symbol
The specific abbreviation used to denote the name of an element is called its symbol.
Significance of a Symbol
A symbol represents a short form of an element.
A symbol represents one atom of the element.
It indicates the atomic weight of an element. The quantity of the element is equal to its atomic mass or
gram atomic mass or atomic mass unit (a.m.u.).
For example, the symbol C
o Stands for the element Carbon
o Represents one atom of Carbon
o Indicates the atomic mass of Carbon, i.e. 12 a.m.u.
In 1807, John Dalton, a scientist, tried to name the various elements based on pictorial symbols.
Symbols of some elements as proposed by Dalton are shown in the diagram.
In 1814, the Swedish Chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius devised a system using letters of the alphabet. He
put forward certain points for presentation.
In most cases, the first letter of the name of an element was taken as the symbol for that element and
written in capitals.
Name Symbol
Carbon C
Nitrogen N
Hydrogen H
In some cases, the initial letter of the name in capital along with its second letter in small was used.
Name Symbol
Calcium Ca
Aluminium Al
Silicon Si
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CHEMISTRY LANGUAGE OF CHEMISTRY
The symbols for some elements were derived from their Latin names.
The symbols of elements used today are those as first suggested by the Swedish Chemist Berzelius.
The method suggested by Berzelius forms the basis of the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry) system of chemical symbols and formulae.
The names and symbols decided by IUPAC are used all over the world for international trade.
Name of the Symbol Latin Name Name of the Symbol Latin Name
element element
Hydrogen H — Nickel Ni —
Oxygen O — Manganese Mn —
Boron B — Calcium Ca —
Carbon C — Chlorine Cl —
Fluorine F — Bromine Br —
Iodine I — Chromium Cr —
Nitrogen N — Cobalt Co —
Phosphorus P — Lead Pb Plumbum
Sulphur S — Mercury Hg Hydrargyrum
Barium Ba — Phosphorus P —
Iron Fe Ferrum Sodium Na Natrium
Gold Au Aurum Potassium K Kalium
Silver Ag Argentum Tin Sn Stannum
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CHEMISTRY LANGUAGE OF CHEMISTRY
Valency
The number of hydrogen atoms that combines with or displaces one atom of that element or radical. The
valency is taken to be 1 and is considered as standard.
The number of electrons which an atom can lose, gain or share during a chemical reaction to attain the
stable configuration of the nearest inert gas element is called its valency.
Valance Electrons
The electrons present in the outermost shell or valence shell are known as valence electrons.
The number of electrons donated or accepted or shared by its atom during a chemical reaction is called
valence electrons, and the number of these electrons is called the valency of that element.
Variable Valency
Sometimes, the same element may exhibit one valency in one compound and another valency in other
compound. This property is called variable valency.
If an element exhibits two different positive valencies, then for lower valency, use the suffix –ous at the
end of the name of the element, and for higher valency, use the suffix –ic at the end of the name of the
element.
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CHEMISTRY LANGUAGE OF CHEMISTRY
Ions or Radicals
An ion or radical is an atom or a group of atoms of same or different elements that behave as a single unit
with a positive or a negative ion.
Radicals have their own combining power based on which they form chemical formulae.
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CHEMISTRY LANGUAGE OF CHEMISTRY
A molecular formula, also known as chemical formula, is a combination of elemental symbols and
subscript numbers that is used to show the composition of a compound.
Examples:
Silica is represented as SiO2.
Marble is represented as CaCO3.
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CHEMISTRY LANGUAGE OF CHEMISTRY
Example of magnesium chloride and ammonium sulphate (Refer to the diagram given below)
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CHEMISTRY LANGUAGE OF CHEMISTRY
4. Nomenclature of acids
Binary acids
The names of binary acids are given by adding the prefix Hydro– and the suffix –ic to the name of
the second element.
Example: HCl – Hydrochloric acid
HF – Hydrofluoric acid
5. Trivial names
Names of certain compounds do not follow any systematic rule. Such names are called trivial names or
common names, and they are widely accepted.
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