The symbols (formulas) show the elements or ions in a compound. Sometimes it is easier to see the relationships between the elements with an empirical formula. But with larger molecules with atoms in complex arrangements, the written names are sometimes more appropriate. (e.g. sodium benzoate NaC7H5O2 which is formed from an ion of benzene C6H6)
Symbols are an efficient means of conveying certain types of information which would otherwise be much more difficult to write. For example, a two letter symbol of a chemical element is much more convenient, when you are writing chemical formulas or equations, than writing out the full names of the elements.
To save time writing. They are abbreviations, no different to writing US for United States.
They use symbols so that it is easier and quicker and shorter to write scientific names, since so many of them are really long.
to minimize the time
It is relatively rare, you will not usually see it on a daily basis.
Radium is a chemical element; a compound has a minimum of two chemical elements.
Chemical symbols represent chemical elements.
Radium is a chemical element, not a compound.
All chemical formulas are called chemical notations. They represent the elements and the number of atoms of each element present in a compound.
chemical formula
S8 is the symbol of an allotrope of sulfur, a chemical element - not a compound.
Chemical formulas consist of chemical symbols and numbers. The symbols represent the elements in the compound. The numbers indicate the quantity of atoms of each element in the compound.
the letter H represents the element Hydrogen
Magnesium is a chemical element, not a compound.
compound!
Copper is a chemical element. It can be a compound but copper is usually known as a chemical element.
It is relatively rare, you will not usually see it on a daily basis.
Francium is chemical element, not a compound.
Radium is a chemical element; a compound has a minimum of two chemical elements.
Chemical symbols represent chemical elements.
Radium is a chemical element, not a compound.