Chapter 3 Atoms and Elements 3.2 Elements and Symbols Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Benjamin Cummings 1 Elements Elements are • pure substances that cannot be separated into • simpler substances by ordinary laboratory processes. the building blocks of matter. gold carbon aluminum Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Benjamin Cummings 2 Sources of Some Element Names Some elements are named for planets, mythological figures, minerals, colors, scientists, and places. 3 Symbols of Elements A symbol • represents the name of an element. • consists of 1 or 2 letters. • starts with a capital letter. 1-Letter Symbols C carbon N nitrogen F fluorine O oxygen 2-Letter Symbols Co cobalt Ca calcium Al aluminum Mg magnesium 4 Symbols from Latin Names Several symbols are derived from Latin names as shown below. Cu, copper (cuprum) Au, gold (aurum) Fe, iron (ferrum) Ag, silver (argentum) Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Benjamin Cummings 5 Physical Properties of Elements The physical properties of an element • are observed or measured without changing its identity. • include the following: Shape Color Odor and taste Density Melting point Boiling Point 6 Physical Properties of Elements Some physical properties of copper are: Color Luster Melting point Boiling point Conduction of electricity Conduction of heat Red-orange Very shiny 1083°C 2567°C Excellent Excellent 7 Learning Check Select the correct symbol for each. A. Calcium 1) C 2) Ca 3) CA B. Sulfur 1) S 2) Sl 3) Su C. Iron 1) Ir 2) FE 3) Fe 8 Solution Select the correct symbol for each. A. Calcium 2) Ca B. Sulfur 1) S C. Iron 3) Fe 9 Learning Check Select the correct name for each symbol. A. N 1) neon 2) nitrogen 3) nickel B. P 1) potassium 2) phlogiston 3) phosphorus C. Ag 1) silver 2) agean 3) gold 10 Solution Select the correct name for each: A. N 2) nitrogen B. P 3) phosphorus C. Ag 1) silver 11