4.1.2

Symbols & Formulae to Represent Scientific Ideas

Test yourself

Using Symbols and Formulae to Represent Scientific Ideas

Science contains lots of new terminology and some rules to follow when writing things out. This includes how we write out elements and represent units.

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Science as a new language

  • Sometimes science is like learning a new language – it is full of new terminology.
  • You will see the periodic table has symbols to represent each element.
  • Do not be fooled in thinking the letters of the symbols are from the English spellings.
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The letters in an element

  • Notice that the first letter on all elements in the periodic table is always a CAPITAL letter and the letters that follow are lowercase.
  • That way we know when we have a new element in a compound.
    • For example, CaCO3 contains: 1 atom of Ca (calcium), 1 atom of C (carbon) and 3 atoms of O (oxygen).
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The naming of the elements

  • Pb on the periodic table is Lead.
    • This comes from the Latin plumbum.
    • You will not be surprised to learn lead was once used in plumbing.
  • Some elements are named after planets such as Mercury and Plutonium.
  • Some elements are names after famous scientists such as Bohrium (Niels Bohr) and Einsteinium (Albert Einstein).
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Uses of symbols in science

  • Scientists also use symbols to represent units.
  • For example:
    • Kilogram – kg
    • Degrees Celsius - °
    • Joules – J
  • Scientists also use symbols from the Greek alphabet when they study radiation – alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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