Which of the following best describes what a chemical symbol represents on the periodic table?

• A. It is a shorthand for the electron configuration of an element.
• B. It is a code that indicates the atomic mass of an element.
• C. It is a symbol that shows the number of neutrons in an atom.
• D. It is a one- or two-letter abbreviation that represents a specific chemical element.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a chemical symbol is a shorthand notation used to represent a chemical element on the periodic table.
2. Recognize that each chemical symbol consists of one or two letters, where the first letter is always capitalized and the second letter, if present, is lowercase.
3. Know that the chemical symbol uniquely identifies an element, such as H for hydrogen or O for oxygen, rather than providing detailed information like electron configuration or atomic mass.
4. Distinguish that the chemical symbol does not directly indicate the number of neutrons or electrons, but simply serves as a concise label for the element itself.
5. Conclude that the best description of a chemical symbol is that it is a one- or two-letter abbreviation representing a specific chemical element.