Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions

McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145Not the one you use?Change textbook

McMurry 8th Edition

Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions

Problem 52

Chapter 2, Problem 52

What is wrong with each of the following statements? (a) The symbol for tin is Ti. (b) The symbol for manganese is Mg. (c) The symbol for potassium is Po. (d) The symbol for helium is HE.

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Identify the correct chemical symbol for each element mentioned in the statements.

For statement (a), recognize that the symbol 'Ti' is for titanium, not tin. The correct symbol for tin is 'Sn'.

For statement (b), understand that 'Mg' is the symbol for magnesium, not manganese. The correct symbol for manganese is 'Mn'.

For statement (c), note that 'Po' is the symbol for polonium, not potassium. The correct symbol for potassium is 'K'.

For statement (d), realize that chemical symbols are case-sensitive. 'HE' is incorrect for helium; the correct symbol is 'He'.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chemical Symbols

Chemical symbols are one- or two-letter abbreviations used to represent chemical elements. The first letter is always capitalized, and if there is a second letter, it is lowercase. For example, the symbol for tin is 'Sn', not 'Ti', which is the symbol for titanium.

Element Identification

Each chemical element has a unique symbol that corresponds to its name and is standardized in the periodic table. Misidentifying these symbols can lead to confusion in chemical equations and reactions. For instance, manganese is represented by 'Mn', not 'Mg', which is the symbol for magnesium.

Periodic Table of Elements

The periodic table organizes all known chemical elements based on their atomic number and properties. It serves as a reference for understanding element symbols, atomic structure, and relationships between elements. For example, potassium is denoted as 'K', while 'Po' refers to polonium, highlighting the importance of accurate symbol recognition.

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