Why did chemist used symbols?

Answer 1

Question S/Be Why DO chemists use symbols?

Symbols are used as a "shorthand" method of representing elements in chemical equations and formulae.

(It is still current practice to use symbols and there is no hint in sight of any thing to replace the practice.)

Answer 2

These symbols are used so that it could be understood by the whole world. The name of the chemicals change across the world, but the symbol doesn't.

If you look in details you will find that most of the chemicals with strange names actually was discovered in non-english speaking language, the letters are often the first letter(s) of the name of the symbol; not because they can't all be the first two letters or most obvious letters (because there is too many to do that). Here are a few example:

• Fe - Iron, from latin 'ferrous'
• Ag - Silver, from latin 'argentum'

• Hg - Mercury, from latin 'hydragyrum'

• Sn - Tin, from latin 'stannum'

• Au - Gold, from latin 'aurum'

Also, they don't use chemical just to make it easier to write down, for example, it's easier to say and write 'glucose' than C6H12O6,just look at what is longer and you will see that what people say is not true.

Answer 3

you use chemical symbols to save time and space rather than writing potassium instead we can write K that is the chemical symbol for potassium. also they r gay

Answer 4

the advantage is so you would not have to spell the whole word out.

Answer 5

Really, it is the same reason as mathematicians do. It would be tedious having to write out Sulfuric Acid when H2SO4 is easier. In mathematics rather than multiply it is x etc.

Answer 6

To represent itself (such as you having a name). Also just to refer to it

Answer 7

To make it aloy quicker to draw diagrams and formulas.

Answer 8

They are a shorthand notation to all writing chemical equations without complete words and names. They are a way to make these things simpler to write.