How is the chemical symbol of an element determind?

Answer 1

It is a one or two letter shorthand writing of its name (English, German, French or Latin name), determined by convention (IUPAC rules).

Example:

C for carbon, N for nitrogen,

Ca = calcium, Si = silicon, Na = sodium (from Latin: natrium)

Be (berillium, 4), B (boron, 5), Ba (barium, 56), Bh (bohrium, 107, UNS)

Elements number from 100 and up can be symbolized by a three-letter code derived from the atomic number (Cf 'Related links' for coding key):

Example:

NNO, Ununoctium, meaning 1-1-8, element 118, is the highest-numbered element discovered.

digitrootsymbol0niln1unu2b(i)b3tr(i)t4quadq5pentp6hexh7septs8octo9en(n)e

Answer 2

The chemical symbol of an element is determined based on its name, usually by taking the first letter or two of the name. In some cases, the symbol may come from a different language or historical origin related to the element's discovery.