Give the chemical symbol or name for the following elements, as appropriate: (a) helium (b) platinum (c) cobalt (d) tin (e) silver

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the element mentioned in the problem: cobalt.
2. Recall that each element has a unique chemical symbol, usually derived from its English or Latin name.
3. For cobalt, the chemical symbol is derived from its English name.
4. The chemical symbol for cobalt is 'Co'.
5. Ensure that the first letter of the symbol is capitalized and the second letter, if present, is lowercase.

Key Concepts

Chemical Symbols

Chemical symbols are one- or two-letter abbreviations used to represent chemical elements. Each symbol is unique to an element and is derived from its English or Latin name. For example, the symbol for cobalt is 'Co', which allows for a standardized way to communicate about elements in chemical equations and formulas.

Element Names

Each chemical element has a specific name that is recognized internationally. The name often reflects the element's properties, its discoverer, or its origin. For cobalt, the name is derived from the German word 'kobalt' or 'kobold', meaning goblin, due to the difficulties miners faced when extracting it from ores.

Periodic Table

The periodic table is a systematic arrangement of all known chemical elements, organized by increasing atomic number. Each element is placed in a specific location based on its properties, such as reactivity and electron configuration. Cobalt is located in group 9 and period 4, indicating its classification as a transition metal with specific chemical behaviors.