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Chemical symbol

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File:Simple Periodic Table Chart-blocks.svg
The periodic table, elements being denoted by their symbols

Chemical symbols are the abbreviations used in chemistry, mainly for chemical elements; but also for functional groups, chemical compounds, and other entities. Element symbols for chemical elements, also known as atomic symbols, normally consist of one or two letters from the Latin alphabet and are written with the first letter capitalised.

History

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Earlier symbols for chemical elements stem from classical Latin and Greek vocabulary. For some elements, this is because the material was known in ancient times, while for others, the name is a more recent invention. For example, Pb is the symbol for lead (plumbum in Latin); Hg is the symbol for mercury (hydrargyrum in Greek); and He is the symbol for helium (a Neo-Latin name) because helium was not known in ancient Roman times. Some symbols come from other sources, like W for tungsten (Wolfram in German) which was not known in Roman times.

A three-letter temporary symbol may be assigned to a newly synthesized (or not yet synthesized) element. For example, "Uno" was the temporary symbol for hassium (element 108) which had the temporary name of unniloctium, based on the digits of its atomic number. There are also some historical symbols that are no longer officially used.

Extension of the symbol

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File:Atomic Symbol Mg.svg
Annotated example of an atomic symbol

In addition to the letters for the element itself, additional details may be added to the symbol as superscripts or subscripts a particular isotope, ionization, or oxidation state, or other atomic detail.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> A few isotopes have their own specific symbols rather than just an isotopic detail added to their element symbol.

Attached subscripts or superscripts specifying a nuclide or molecule have the following meanings and positions:

  • The nucleon number (mass number) is shown in the left superscript position (e.g., 14N). This number defines the specific isotope. Various letters, such as "m" and "f" may also be used here to indicate a nuclear isomer (e.g., 99mTc). Alternately, the number here can represent a specific spin state (e.g., 1O2). These details can be omitted if not relevant in a certain context.
  • The proton number (atomic number) may be indicated in the left subscript position (e.g., 64Gd). The atomic number is redundant to the chemical element, but is sometimes used to emphasize the change of numbers of nucleons in a nuclear reaction.
  • If necessary, a state of ionization or an excited state may be indicated in the right superscript position (e.g., state of ionization Ca2+).
  • The number of atoms of an element in a molecule or chemical compound is shown in the right subscript position (e.g., N2 or Fe2O3). If this number is one, it is normally omitted - the number one is implicitly understood if unspecified.
  • A radical is indicated by a dot on the right side (e.g., Cl• for a neutral chlorine atom). This is often omitted unless relevant to a certain context because it is already deducible from the charge and atomic number, as generally true for nonbonded valence electrons in skeletal structures.

Many functional groups also have their own chemical symbol, e.g. Ph for the phenyl group, and Me for the methyl group.

A list of current, dated, as well as proposed and historical signs and symbols is included here with its signification. Also given is each element's atomic number, atomic weight, or the atomic mass of the most stable isotope, group and period numbers on the periodic table, and etymology of the symbol.

Symbols for chemical elements

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List of chemical elements
Z Symbol Name Origin of name<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1 H Hydrogen Greek elements hydro- and -gen, meaning 'water-forming'
2 He Helium Greek hḗlios, 'sun'
3 Li Lithium Greek líthos, 'stone'
4 Be Beryllium beryl, a mineral (ultimately from the name of Belur in southern India)
5 B Boron borax, a mineral (from Arabic bawraq)
6 C Carbon Latin carbo, 'coal'
7 N Nitrogen Greek nítron and -gen, meaning 'niter-forming'
8 O Oxygen Greek oxy- and -gen, meaning 'acid-forming'
9 F Fluorine Latin fluere, 'to flow'
10 Ne Neon Greek néon, 'new'
11 Na Sodium English soda (the symbol Na is derived from Neo-Latin natrium, coined from German Natron, 'natron')
12 Mg Magnesium Magnesia, a district of Eastern Thessaly in Greece
13 Al Aluminium alumina, from Latin alumen (gen. alumni), 'bitter salt, alum'
14 Si Silicon Latin silex, 'flint' (originally silicium)
15 P Phosphorus Greek phōsphóros, 'light-bearing'
16 S Sulfur Latin sulphur, 'brimstone'
17 Cl Chlorine Greek chlōrós, 'greenish yellow'
18 Ar Argon Greek argós, 'idle' (because of its inertness)
19 K Potassium Neo-Latin potassa, 'potash' (the symbol K is derived from Latin kalium)
20 Ca Calcium Latin calx, 'lime'
21 Sc Scandium Latin Scandia, 'Scandinavia'
22 Ti Titanium Titans, the sons of the Earth goddess of Greek mythology
23 V Vanadium Vanadis, an Old Norse name for the Scandinavian goddess Freyja
24 Cr Chromium Greek chróma, 'colour'
25 Mn Manganese corrupted from magnesia negra; see Magnesium
26 Fe Iron English word (the symbol Fe is derived from Latin ferrum)
27 Co Cobalt German Kobold, 'goblin'
28 Ni Nickel Nickel, a mischievous sprite of German miner mythology
29 Cu Copper English word, from Latin cuprum, from Ancient Greek Kýpros 'Cyprus'
30 Zn Zinc Most likely from German Zinke, 'prong' or 'tooth', though some suggest Persian sang, 'stone'
31 Ga Gallium Latin Gallia, 'France'
32 Ge Germanium Latin Germania, 'Germany'
33 As Arsenic French arsenic, from Greek arsenikón 'yellow arsenic' (influenced by arsenikós, 'masculine' or 'virile'), from a West Asian wanderword ultimately from Old Iranian *zarniya-ka, 'golden'
34 Se Selenium Greek selḗnē, 'moon'
35 Br Bromine Greek brômos, 'stench'
36 Kr Krypton Greek kryptós, 'hidden'
37 Rb Rubidium Latin rubidus, 'deep red'
38 Sr Strontium Strontian, a village in Scotland
39 Y Yttrium Ytterby, a village in Sweden
40 Zr Zirconium zircon, a mineral
41 Nb Niobium Niobe, daughter of king Tantalus from Greek mythology
42 Mo Molybdenum Greek molýbdaina, 'piece of lead', from mólybdos, 'lead'
43 Tc Technetium Greek tekhnētós, 'artificial'
44 Ru Ruthenium Neo-Latin Ruthenia, 'Russia'
45 Rh Rhodium Greek rhodóeis, 'rose-coloured', from rhódon, 'rose'
46 Pd Palladium the asteroid Pallas, considered a planet at the time
47 Ag Silver English word (The symbol derives from Latin argentum)
48 Cd Cadmium Neo-Latin cadmia, from King Kadmos
49 In Indium Latin indicum, 'indigo' (colour found in its spectrum)
50 Sn Tin English word (The symbol derives from Latin stannum)
51 Sb Antimony Latin antimonium, the origin of which is uncertain: folk etymologies suggest it is derived from Greek antí ('against') + mónos ('alone'), or Old French anti-moine, 'Monk's bane', but it could plausibly be from or related to Arabic ʾiṯmid, 'antimony', reformatted as a Latin word. (The symbol derives from Latin stibium 'stibnite'.)
52 Te Tellurium Latin tellus, 'the ground, earth'
53 I Iodine French iode, from Greek ioeidḗs, 'violet'
54 Xe Xenon Greek xénon, neuter form of xénos 'strange'
55 Cs Caesium Latin caesius, 'sky-blue'
56 Ba Barium Greek barýs, 'heavy'
57 La Lanthanum Greek lanthánein, 'to lie hidden'
58 Ce Cerium the dwarf planet Ceres, considered a planet at the time
59 Pr Praseodymium Greek prásios dídymos, 'green twin'
60 Nd Neodymium Greek néos dídymos, 'new twin'
61 Pm Promethium Prometheus of Greek mythology
62 Sm Samarium samarskite, a mineral named after Colonel Vasili Samarsky-Bykhovets, Russian mine official
63 Eu Europium Europe
64 Gd Gadolinium gadolinite, a mineral named after Johan Gadolin, Finnish chemist, physicist and mineralogist
65 Tb Terbium Ytterby, a village in Sweden
66 Dy Dysprosium Greek dysprósitos, 'hard to get'
67 Ho Holmium Neo-Latin Holmia, 'Stockholm'
68 Er Erbium Ytterby, a village in Sweden
69 Tm Thulium Thule, the ancient name for an unclear northern location
70 Yb Ytterbium Ytterby, a village in Sweden
71 Lu Lutetium Latin Lutetia, 'Paris'
72 Hf Hafnium Neo-Latin Hafnia, 'Copenhagen' (from Danish havn)
73 Ta Tantalum King Tantalus, father of Niobe from Greek mythology
74 W Tungsten Swedish tung sten, 'heavy stone' (The symbol is from wolfram, the old name of the tungsten mineral wolframite)
75 Re Rhenium Latin Rhenus, 'the Rhine'
76 Os Osmium Greek osmḗ, 'smell'
77 Ir Iridium Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow
78 Pt Platinum Spanish platina, 'little silver', from plata 'silver'
79 Au Gold English word (The symbol derives from Latin aurum)
80 Hg Mercury Mercury, Roman god of commerce, communication, and luck, known for his speed and mobility (The symbol is from the element's Latin name hydrargyrum, derived from Greek hydrárgyros, 'water-silver')
81 Tl Thallium Greek thallós, 'green shoot or twig'
82 Pb Lead English word (The symbol derives from Latin plumbum)
83 Bi Bismuth German Wismut, from weiß Masse 'white mass', unless from Arabic
84 Po Polonium Latin Polonia, 'Poland' (the home country of Marie Curie)
85 At Astatine Greek ástatos, 'unstable'
86 Rn Radon radium
87 Fr Francium France
88 Ra Radium French radium, from Latin radius, 'ray'
89 Ac Actinium Greek aktís, 'ray'
90 Th Thorium Thor, the Scandinavian god of thunder
91 Pa Protactinium proto- (from Greek prôtos, 'first, before') + actinium, which is produced through the radioactive decay of protactinium
92 U Uranium Uranus, the seventh planet in the Solar System
93 Np Neptunium Neptune, the eighth planet in the Solar System
94 Pu Plutonium the dwarf planet Pluto, considered the ninth planet in the Solar System at the time
95 Am Americium The Americas, as the element was first synthesised on the continent, by analogy with europium
96 Cm Curium Pierre Curie and Marie Curie, French physicists and chemists
97 Bk Berkelium Berkeley, California, where the element was first synthesised, by analogy with terbium
98 Cf Californium California, where the element was first synthesised
99 Es Einsteinium Albert Einstein, German physicist
100 Fm Fermium Enrico Fermi, Italian physicist
101 Md Mendelevium Dmitri Mendeleev, Russian chemist and inventor who proposed the periodic table
102 No Nobelium Alfred Nobel, Swedish chemist and engineer
103 Lr Lawrencium Ernest O. Lawrence, American physicist
104 Rf Rutherfordium Ernest Rutherford, New Zealand chemist and physicist
105 Db Dubnium Dubna, Russia, where the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research is located
106 Sg Seaborgium Glenn T. Seaborg, American chemist
107 Bh Bohrium Niels Bohr, Danish physicist
108 Hs Hassium Neo-Latin Hassia, 'Hesse' (a state in Germany)
109 Mt Meitnerium Lise Meitner, Austrian physicist
110 Ds Darmstadtium Darmstadt, Germany, where the element was first synthesised
111 Rg Roentgenium Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, German physicist
112 Cn Copernicium Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer
113 Nh Nihonium Japanese Nihon, 'Japan' (where the element was first synthesised)
114 Fl Flerovium Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, part of JINR, where the element was synthesised; itself named after Georgy Flyorov, Russian physicist
115 Mc Moscovium Moscow Oblast, Russia, where the element was first synthesised
116 Lv Livermorium Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, which collaborated with JINR on its synthesis
117 Ts Tennessine Tennessee, United States
118 Og Oganesson Yuri Oganessian, Russian physicist

Symbols and names not currently used

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Template:More citations needed The following is a list of symbols and names formerly used or suggested for elements, including symbols for placeholder names and names given by discredited claimants for discovery. Template:Sticky header

Symbol Name Atomic
number		 Notes Why not
used		 Refs
A Argon 18 A used for Argon until 1957. Current symbol is Ar. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6">Name changed due to a standardization of, modernization of, or update to older formerly-used symbol.</ref> <ref name="Holden2004">Template:Cite web</ref>
Ab Alabamine 85 Discredited claim to discovery of astatine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7">Name designated by discredited/disputed claimant.</ref> <ref name="leal">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="encyclopediaofalabama.org">Template:Cite web</ref>
Ad Aldebaranium 70 Former name for ytterbium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Ah Anglohelvetium 85 Discredited claim to discovery of astatine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Ak Alkalinium 87 Discredited claim to discovery of francium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Am Alabamine 85 Discredited claim to discovery of astatine. The symbol Am is now used for americium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" /><ref name="encyclopediaofalabama.org" />
An Athenium 99 Proposed name for einsteinium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8">Name proposed prior to discovery/creation of element or prior to official renaming of a placeholder name.</ref>
Ao Ausonium 93 Discredited claim to discovery of neptunium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
At Austriacum 84 Discredited claim to discovery of polonium. The symbol At is now used for astatine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Az Azote 7 Former name for nitrogen. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Bo Bohemium 93 Discredited claim to discovery of neptunium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Bo Boron 5 Current symbol is B. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Bv Brevium 91 Former name for protactinium-234. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Bz Berzelium 90 Baskerville wrongly believed berzelium was a new element. Was actually thorium. <ref name="Fontanietal">Template:Cite book</ref>
Cb Columbium 41 Former name for niobium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /> <ref name="leal" /><ref name="Fontanietal" />
Ch Chromium 24 Current symbol is Cr. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Cl Columbium 41 Former name for niobium. The symbol Cl is now used for chlorine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Cm Catium 87 Proposed name for francium. The symbol Cm is now used for curium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
Cn Carolinium 90 Baskerville wrongly believed carolinium to be a new element. Was actually thorium. The symbol Cn is now used for copernicium. <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Cp Cassiopeium 71 Former name for lutetium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Cp Copernicium 112 Current symbol is Cn. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ct Celtium 72 Discredited claim to discovery of hafnium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Ct Centurium 100 Proposed name for fermium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
Cy Cyclonium 61 Proposed name for promethium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
D Didymium 59/60 Mixture of the elements praseodymium and neodymium. Mosander wrongly believed didymium to be an element. <ref name="chemistryexplained">Praseodymium Template:Webarchive on was.chemistryexplained.com.</ref>
Da Davyum 43 Discredited claim to discovery of technetium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Db Dubhium 69 Eder wrongly believed dubhium to be a new element. Was actually thulium. The symbol Db is now used for dubnium.
Db Dubnium 104 Proposed name for rutherfordium. The symbol and name were instead used for element 105. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /> <ref name="leal" />
Dc Decipium 62 Delafontaine wrongly believed decipium to be a new element. Was actually samarium.
Dc Dvicaesium 87 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, francium closely matched the prediction. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" />
De Denebium 69 Eder wrongly believed denebium to be a new element. Was actually thulium.
Di Didymium 59/60 Mixture of the elements praseodymium and neodymium. Mosander wrongly believed didymium to be an element. <ref name="chemistryexplained" />
Do Dor 85 Discredited claim to discovery of astatine made by Horia Hulubei and Yvette Cauchois. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Dn Dubnadium 118 Proposed name for oganesson. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
Dp Decipium 62 Delafontaine wrongly believed decipium to be a new element. Was actually samarium.
Ds Dysprosium 66 Current symbol is Dy. The symbol Ds is now used for darmstadtium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Dt Dvitellurium 84 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, polonium closely matched the prediction. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" />
E Einsteinium 99 Current symbol is Es. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
E Erbium 68 Current symbol is Er. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ea Ekaaluminium 31 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, gallium closely matched the prediction. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9">Temporary placeholder name.</ref>
Eb Ekaboron 21 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, scandium closely matched the prediction. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" /> <ref name="leal" />
Eb Erebodium 42 Alexander Pringle wrongly believed erebodium to be a new element. Was likely molybdenum. <ref name="Fontanietal" />
El Ekaaluminium 31 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, gallium closely matched the prediction. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" /> <ref name="leal" />
Em Ekamanganese 43 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, technetium closely matched the prediction. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" /> <ref name="leal" />
Em Emanation 86 Also called "radium emanation", the name was originally given by Friedrich Ernst Dorn in 1900.
In 1923, this element officially became radon (the name given at one time to 222Rn, an isotope identified in the decay chain of radium).		 <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /> <ref name="leal" />
Em Emanium 89 Alternate name formerly proposed for actinium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
Es Ekasilicon 32 Name given by Mendeleev to a then undiscovered element. When discovered, germanium closely matched the prediction.
The symbol Es is now used for einsteinium.		 <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" /> <ref name="leal" />
Hs Hesperium 94 Discredited claim to discovery of plutonium. The symbol Hs is now used for hassium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" /><ref name="Fontanietal" />
Et Ekatantalum 91 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, protactinium closely matched the prediction. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" />
Ex Euxenium 72 Discredited claim to discovery of hafnium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Fa Francium 87 Current symbol is Fr. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Fl Florentium 61 Discredited claim to discovery of promethium. The symbol Fl is now used for flerovium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Fl Fluorine 9 Current symbol is F. The symbol Fl is now used for flerovium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Fr Florentium 61 Discredited claim to discovery of promethium. The symbol Fr is now used for francium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
G Glucinium 4 Former name for beryllium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Gh Ghiorsium 118 Discredited claim to discovery of oganesson. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Gl Glucinium 4 Former name for beryllium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /> <ref name="leal" />
Ha Hahnium 105 Proposed name for dubnium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
Hn Hahnium 108 Proposed name for hassium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /> <ref name="leal" />
Hv Helvetium 85 Discredited claim to discovery of astatine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Hy Mercury 80 Hy from the Greek hydrargyrum for "liquid silver". Current symbol is Hg. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /> <ref name="Holden2004" />
I Iridium 77 Current symbol is Ir. The symbol I is now used for iodine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ic Incognitium 65 Demarçay wrongly believed incognitium to be a new element. Was actually terbium mixed with gadolinium. <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Il Illinium 61 Discredited claim to discovery of promethium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Il Ilmenium 41/73 Mixture of the elements niobium and tantalum. R. Hermann wrongly believed ilmenium to be an element.
Io Ionium 65 Demarçay wrongly believed ionium to be a new element. Was actually terbium.
J Jodium 53 Former name for iodine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Jg Jargonium 72 Discredited claim to discovery of hafnium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Jl Joliotium 105 Proposed name for dubnium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /> <ref name="leal" />
Jp Japonium 113 Proposed name for nihonium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
Ka Potassium 19 Current symbol is K. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ku Kurchatovium 104 Proposed name for rutherfordium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /> <ref name="leal" />
L Lithium 3 Current symbol is Li. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Lw Lawrencium 103 Current symbol is Lr. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
M Muriaticum 17 Former name for chlorine. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ma Manganese 25 Current symbol is Mn. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ma Masurium 43 Disputed claim to discovery of technetium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Md Mendelevium 97 Proposed name for berkelium. The symbol and name were later used for element 101. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" />
Ml Moldavium 87 Discredited claim to discovery of francium made by Horia Hulubei and Yvette Cauchois. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Ms Magnesium 12 Current symbol is Mg. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ms Masrium 88 Discredited claim to discovery of radium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Ms Masurium 43 Disputed claim to discovery of technetium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Ms Mosandrium 65 Smith wrongly believed mosandrium to be a new element. Was actually terbium.
Mv Mendelevium 101 Current symbol is Md. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ng Norwegium 72 Discredited claim to discovery of hafnium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
No Norium 72 Discredited claim to discovery of hafnium. The symbol No is now used for nobelium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Np Neptunium 91 Discredited claim to discovery of protactinium. The symbol and name were later used for element 93. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="rang">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Np Nipponium 43 Discredited claim to discovery of technetium. The symbol Np is now used for neptunium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Ns Nielsbohrium 105 Proposed name for dubnium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /> <ref name="leal" />
Ns Nielsbohrium 107 Proposed name for bohrium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /> <ref name="leal" />
Nt Niton 86 Former name for radon. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /> <ref name="leal" />
Ny Neoytterbium 70 Former name for ytterbium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
P Lead 82 Current symbol is Pb. The symbol P is now used for phosphorus. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Pa Palladium 46 Current symbol is Pd. The symbol Pa is now used for protactinium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Pe Pelopium 41 Former name for niobium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ph Phosphorus 15 Current symbol is P. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Pl Palladium 46 Current symbol is Pd. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Pm Polymnestum 33 Alexander Pringle wrongly believed polymnestum to be a new element. Was likely arsenic. The symbol Pm is now used for promethium. <ref name="Fontanietal" />
Po Potassium 19 Current symbol is K. The symbol Po is now used for polonium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Pp Philippium 67 Delafontaine discovered a new element and named it philippium. Per Teodor Cleve isolated it and renamed it holmium. <ref name="Fontanietal" />
R Rhodium 45 Current symbol is Rh. (The symbol is now sometimes used for an alkyl group.) <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Rd Radium 88 Current symbol is Ra. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Rf Rutherfordium 106 Proposed name for seaborgium. The symbol and name were instead used for element 104. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /> <ref name="leal" />
Ro Rhodium 45 Current symbol is Rh. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Sa Samarium 62 Current symbol is Sm. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /> <ref name="leal" />
So Sodium 11 Current symbol is Na. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Sq Sequanium 93 Discredited claim to discovery of neptunium made by Horia Hulubei and Yvette Cauchois. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="Fontanietal" />
St Antimony 51 Current symbol is Sb. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
St Tin 50 Current symbol is Sn. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Tm Trimanganese 75 Name given by Mendeleev to an as of then undiscovered element. When discovered, rhenium closely matched the prediction. The symbol Tm is now used for thulium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used8" /><ref group=nb name="why_not_used9" />
Tn Tungsten 74 Current symbol is W. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Tr Terbium 65 Current symbol is Tb. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Tu Thulium 69 Current symbol is Tm. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Tu Tungsten 74 Current symbol is W. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Ur Uralium 75 Discredited claim to discovery of rhenium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" />
Ur Uranium 92 Current symbol is U. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Vc Victorium 64 Crookes wrongly believed victorium to be a new element. Was actually gadolinium.
Vi Victorium 64 Crookes wrongly believed victorium to be a new element. Was actually gadolinium.
Vi Virginium 87 Discredited claim to discovery of francium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Vm Virginium 87 Discredited claim to discovery of francium. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used7" /> <ref name="leal" />
Va Vanadium 23 Current symbol is V. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Wo Wolfram 74 Former name for tungsten. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
X Xenon 54 Current symbol is Xe. The symbol X is now used for any halogen. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" />
Yt Yttrium 39 Current symbol is Y. <ref group=nb name="why_not_used6" /> <ref name="leal" />

Systematic chemical symbols

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These symbols are based on systematic element names, which are now replaced by trivial (non-systematic) element names and symbols. Data is given in order of: atomic number, systematic symbol, systematic name; trivial symbol, trivial name.

When elements beyond oganesson (starting with ununennium, Uue, element 119), are discovered; their systematic name and symbol will presumably be superseded by a trivial name and symbol.

Alchemical symbols

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Template:Main The following ideographic symbols were used in alchemy to denote elements known since ancient times. Not included in this list are spurious elements, such as the classical elements fire and water or phlogiston, and substances now known to be compounds. Many more symbols were in at least sporadic use: one early 17th-century alchemical manuscript lists 22 symbols for mercury alone.<ref name=Crosland/>

Planetary names and symbols for the metals – the seven planets and seven metals known since Classical times in Europe and the Mideast – was ubiquitous in alchemy. The association of what are anachronistically known as planetary metals started breaking down with the discovery of antimony, bismuth and zinc in the 16th century. Alchemists would typically call the metals by their planetary names, e.g. "Saturn" for lead and "Mars" for iron; compounds of tin, iron and silver continued to be called "jovial", "martial" and "lunar"; or "of Jupiter", "of Mars" and "of the moon", through the 17th century. The tradition remains today with the name of the element mercury, where chemists decided the planetary name was preferable to common names like "quicksilver", and in a few archaic terms such as lunar caustic (silver nitrate) and saturnism (lead poisoning).<ref name=Crosland>Maurice Crosland (2004) Historical Studies in the Language of Chemistry</ref>

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Alchemical symbols for the modern elements
Symbol Element Atomic
number		 Notes
Template:Nowrap Phosphorus 15 (discovered late)
File:Sulphur symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big Sulfur 16 used by Newton
File:Manganese symbol (Bergman).svg Manganese 25 late; used by Torbern Bergman (1775)
File:Mars symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big Iron 26 classical planetary metal of Mars
File:Alkali symbol.svg Template:Big Cobalt 27 late; used by Bergman
File:Nickel symbol.svg Nickel 28 late; used by Bergman (old positional variant of arsenic, previously used for regulus of sulfur)
File:Zinc symbol (fixed width).svg Zinc 30 late; used by Bergman
File:Venus symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big Copper 29 classical planetary metal of Venus
File:Arsenic symbol.svg Template:Big Arsenic 33
File:Moon decrescent symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big Silver 47 classical planetary metal of the Moon
File:Silver symbol (alchemical).svg Template:Big
File:Jupiter symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big Tin 50 classical planetary metal of Jupiter
File:Globus cruciger (fixed width).svg Template:Big Antimony 51 the newly discovered "eighth metal" was given the symbol for the Earth, which was recognized as a planet by that time
File:Platinum symbol.svg Platinum 78 late; used by Bergman et al.: a compound of ☉ gold and ☾ silver
File:Uranus symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big late; symbol invented for the newly discovered planet Uranus so that it could also be used for newly recognized platinum
File:Sun symbol (medieval).svg Template:Big Gold 79 classical variant
File:Sun symbol.svg Template:Big medieval variant; planetary metal of the Sun
File:Mercury symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big Mercury 80 classical planetary metal of Mercury
File:Saturn symbol (fixed width).svg Template:Big Lead 82 classical planetary metal of Saturn
File:Bismuth trident symbol.svg Template:Big Bismuth 83 used by Newton
File:Bismuth symbol.svg Template:Big used by Bergman

Daltonian symbols

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File:Dalton's Element List.jpg
Dalton's symbols for the more common elements, as of 1806, and the relative weights he calculated. The symbols for magnesium and calcium ("lime") were replaced by 1808, and that for gold was simplified.

The following symbols were employed by John Dalton in the early 1800s as the periodic table of elements was being formulated. Not included in this list are substances now known to be compounds, such as certain rare-earth mineral blends. Modern alphabetic notation was introduced in 1814 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius; its precursor can be seen in Dalton's circled letters for the metals, especially in his augmented table from 1810.<ref>Berzelius, Jöns Jakob. "Essay on the Cause of Chemical Proportions, and on Some Circumstances Relating to Them: Together with a Short and Easy Method of Expressing Them." Annals of Philosophy 2, Pp.443–454 (1813); 3, Pp.51–52, 93–106, 244–255, 353–364 (1814); (Subsequently republished in "A Source Book in Chemistry, 1400-1900", eds. Leicester, Henry M. & Herbert S. Klickstein. 1952.)</ref> A trace of Dalton's conventions also survives in ball-and-stick models of molecules, where balls for carbon are black and for oxygen red.

Daltonian symbols for the elements
Symbol Dalton's name Modern name Atomic
number		 Notes Refs
img. char.
File:Hydrogen symbol (Dalton).svg ☉ hydrogen 1 or ⊙ <ref name=dalton1808ansocp>Template:Cite book</ref>
File:Beryllium symbol (Dalton).svg glucine beryllium 4 alchemical symbol for 'sugar' <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:New moon symbol.svg ● carbone, carbon carbon 6 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Nitrogen symbol (Dalton).svg ⦶ azote nitrogen/azote 7 alchemical symbol for niter <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Oxygen symbol (Dalton).svg ○ oxygen 8 or ◯ <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Sodium symbol (Dalton).svg ⦷ soda sodium 11 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Magnesium symbol (Dalton).svg ⊛ magnesia magnesium 12 alchemical symbol for magnesia <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Aluminium symbol (Dalton).svg alumine aluminium 13 (4 dots) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Silicon symbol (Dalton).svg 🟕 silex silicon 14 <ref name=dalton1810ansocp>Template:Cite book</ref>
File:Phosphorus symbol (Dalton).svg phosphorus 15 (3 radii) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Sulphur symbol (Dalton).svg 🜨 sulphur 16 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Potassium symbol (Dalton).svg potash potassium 19 (3 vertical lines) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Calcium symbol (Dalton).svg ⦾ lime calcium 20 or ◎ <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Titanium symbol (Dalton).svg titanium 22 (enclosing circle) Tit⃝ <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Manganese symbol (Dalton).svg manganese 25 (enclosing circle) Ma⃝ <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Iron symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓘ iron 26 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Nickel symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓝ nickel 28 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Cobalt symbol (Dalton).svg cobalt 27 (enclosing circle) Cob⃝ <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Copper symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓒ copper 29 (black letter in red circle) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Zinc symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓩ zinc 30 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Arsenic symbol (Dalton).svg arsenic 33 (enclosing circle) Ar⃝ <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Strontium symbol (Dalton).svg strontian strontium 38 (4 ticks) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Yttrium symbol (Dalton).svg ⊕︀︀ yttria yttrium 39 (plus does not touch circle) <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Zirconium symbol (Dalton).svg zircone zirconium 40 (vertical zigzag) <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Silver symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓢ silver 47 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Tin symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓣ tin 50 <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Antimony symbol (Dalton).svg antimony 51 (enclosing circle) An⃝ <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Barium symbol (Dalton).svg barytes barium 56 (6 ticks) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Cerium symbol (Dalton).svg cerium 58 (enclosing circle) Ce⃝ <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Tungsten symbol (Dalton).svg tungsten 74 (enclosing circle) Tu⃝ <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Platinum symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓟ platina platinum 78 (black letter in red circle) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Gold symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓖ gold 79 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Mercury symbol (Dalton).svg mercury 80 (dotted inside perimeter) <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Lead symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓛ lead 82 <ref name=dalton1808ansocp/>
File:Bismuth symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓑ bismuth 83 <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>
File:Uranium symbol (Dalton).svg Ⓤ uranium 92 <ref name=dalton1810ansocp/>

Symbols for named isotopes

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The following is a list of isotopes which have been given unique symbols. This is not a list of current systematic symbols (in the Template:SupAtom form); such a list can instead be found in Template:Navbox element isotopes. The symbols for isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium (D) and tritium (T), are still in use today, as is thoron (Tn) for radon-220 (though not actinon; An usually instead means a generic actinide). Heavy water and other deuterated solvents are commonly used in chemistry, and it is convenient to use a single character rather than a symbol with a subscript in these cases. The practice also continues with tritium compounds. When the name of the solvent is given, a lowercase d is sometimes used. For example, dTemplate:Sub-benzene or CTemplate:SubDTemplate:Sub can be used instead of CTemplate:Sub[[[:Template:Sup]]HTemplate:Sub].<ref name="SectionH">Template:Cite web</ref>

The symbols for isotopes of elements other than hydrogen and radon are no longer used in the scientific community. Many of these symbols were designated during the early years of radiochemistry, and several isotopes (namely those in the decay chains of actinium, radium, and thorium) bear placeholder names using the early naming system devised by Ernest Rutherford.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Template:Sticky header

Symbol Name Atomic
number		 Origin of symbol
Ac Actinium 89 From Greek aktinos. Name restricted at one time to Template:SupAc, an isotope of actinium. This named isotope later became the official name for element 89.
AcA Actinium A 84 From actinium and A. Placeholder name given at one time to Template:SupPo, an isotope of polonium identified in the decay chain of actinium.
AcB Actinium B 82 From actinium and B. Placeholder name given at one time to Template:SupPb, an isotope of lead identified in the decay chain of actinium.
AcC Actinium C 83 From actinium and C. Placeholder name given at one time to Template:SupBi, an isotope of bismuth identified in the decay chain of actinium.
AcC′ Actinium C′ 84 From actinium and C′. Placeholder name given at one time to Template:SupPo, an isotope of polonium identified in the decay chain of actinium.
AcC″ Actinium C″ 81 From actinium and C″. Placeholder name given at one time to 207Tl, an isotope of thallium identified in the decay chain of actinium.
AcK Actinium K 87 Name given at one time to 223Fr, an isotope of francium identified in the decay chain of actinium.
AcU Actino-uranium 92 Name given at one time to 235U, an isotope of uranium.
AcX Actinium X 88 Name given at one time to 223Ra, an isotope of radium identified in the decay chain of actinium.
An Actinon 86 From actinium and emanation. Name given at one time to 219Rn, an isotope of radon identified in the decay chain of actinium.
D Deuterium 1 From the Greek deuteros. Name given to 2H.
Io Ionium 90 Name given to 230Th, an isotope of thorium identified in the decay chain of uranium.
MsTh1 Mesothorium 1 88 Name given at one time to 228Ra, an isotope of radium.
MsTh2 Mesothorium 2 89 Name given at one time to 228Ac, an isotope of actinium.
Pa Protactinium 91 From the Greek protos and actinium. Name restricted at one time to 231Pa, an isotope of protactinium. This named isotope later became the official name for element 91.
Ra Radium 88 From the Latin radius. Name restricted at one time to 226Ra, an isotope of radium. This named isotope later became the official name for element 88.
RaA Radium A 84 From radium and A. Placeholder name given at one time to 218Po, an isotope of polonium identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaB Radium B 82 From radium and B. Placeholder name given at one time to 214Pb, an isotope of lead identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaC Radium C 83 From radium and C. Placeholder name given at one time to 214Bi, an isotope of bismuth identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaC′ Radium C′ 84 From radium and C′. Placeholder name given at one time to 214Po, an isotope of polonium identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaC″ Radium C″ 81 From radium and C″. Placeholder name given at one time to 210Tl, an isotope of thallium identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaD Radium D 82 From radium and D. Placeholder name given at one time to 210Pb, an isotope of lead identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaE Radium E 83 From radium and E. Placeholder name given at one time to 210Bi, an isotope of bismuth identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaE″ Radium E″ 81 From radium and E″. Placeholder name given at one time to 206Tl, an isotope of thallium identified in the decay chain of radium.
RaF Radium F 84 From radium and F. Placeholder name given at one time to 210Po, an isotope of polonium identified in the decay chain of radium.
RdAc Radioactinium 90 Name given at one time to 227Th, an isotope of thorium.
RdTh Radiothorium 90 Name given at one time to 228Th, an isotope of thorium.
Rn Radon 86 From radium and emanation. Name restricted at one time to 222Rn, an isotope of radon identified in the decay chain of radium. This named isotope later became the official name for element 86 in 1923.
T Tritium 1 From the Greek tritos. Name given to 3H.
Th Thorium 90 After Thor. Name restricted at one time to 232Th, an isotope of thorium. This named isotope later became the official name for element 90.
ThA Thorium A 84 From thorium and A. Placeholder name given at one time to 216Po, an isotope of polonium identified in the decay chain of thorium.
ThB Thorium B 82 From thorium and B. Placeholder name given at one time to 212Pb, an isotope of lead identified in the decay chain of thorium.
ThC Thorium C 83 From thorium and C. Placeholder name given at one time to 212Bi, an isotope of bismuth identified in the decay chain of thorium.
ThC′ Thorium C′ 84 From thorium and C′. Placeholder name given at one time to 212Po, an isotope of polonium identified in the decay chain of thorium.
ThC″ Thorium C″ 81 From thorium and C″. Placeholder name given at one time to 208Tl, an isotope of thallium identified in the decay chain of thorium.
ThX Thorium X 88 Name given at one time to 224Ra, an isotope of radium identified in the decay chain of thorium.
Tn Thoron 86 From thorium and emanation. Name given to 220Rn, an isotope of radon identified in the decay chain of thorium.
UI Uranium I 92 Name given at one time to 238U, an isotope of uranium.
UII Uranium II 92 Name given at one time to 234U, an isotope of uranium.
UX1 Uranium X1 90 Name given at one time to 234Th, an isotope of thorium identified in the decay chain of uranium.
UX2 Uranium X2 91 Name given at one time to 234mPa, an isotope of protactinium identified in the decay chain of uranium.
UY Uranium Y 90 Name given at one time to 231Th, an isotope of thorium identified in the decay chain of uranium.
UZ Uranium Z 91 Name given at one time to 234Pa, an isotope of protactinium identified in the decay chain of uranium.

Other symbols

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General: Template:Div col

Template:Div col end From organic chemistry: Template:Div col

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Exotic atoms: Template:Div col

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Hazard pictographs are another type of symbols used in chemistry.

See also

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Notes

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Template:Reflist

References

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Template:Reflist

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Template:Commons category

Template:Navbox periodic table Template:Portal bar

pl:Symbol chemiczny

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