Why is iron's atomic symbol Fe?

Answer 1

Not all element symbols come from English words. Iron is one example.

Fe comes from the Latin word for iron: ferrum. In chemistry 'ferric' indicates the trivalent ion, Fe3+ and 'ferrous' indicates the divalent ion, Fe2+. Ferric oxide or Iron(III) oxide is rust, Fe2O3.

There are other examples including:

Tungsten, W for wolfram;

Sodium, Na for natrium;

Potassium, K for kalium.

Answer 2

Irons chemical symbol comes from it's Latin name, Ferrum.

Answer 3

the reason Fe is the symbol for iron is because it comes from the word ferrus which in latin it is the word for iron.

Answer 4

Because the latin word for iron is "Ferrum"

Answer 5

Fe came from the latin word (ferrum) for Iron.

Answer 6

Because it comes from the latin word "ferrum"

Answer 7

Because a ferrous material contains iron

Answer 8

It's from the Latin name 'Ferrum'.