List of elements by symbol
Additional recommended knowledge
|
This is a list of chemical elements by symbol, including the current signification used to identify the chemical elements as recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, as well as proposed and historical signs. Also given is each element's atomic number, atomic mass or most stable isotope, group and period numbers on the periodic table, and etymology of the symbol.
NOTE: placing one's cursor over the entry in the etymology column will display a modern English translation for words of Greek, Latin, or other origin.
Current symbols
Symbol
| Name
| Etymology of Symbol
| Atomic Number
| Relative Atomic Mass
| Group
| Period
|
Ac | Actinium | corruption of the Greek aktinos | 89 | [227][1] | | 7
|
Ag | Silver | Latin argentum | 47 | 107.8682(2)[2] | 11 | 5
|
Al | Aluminium (Aluminum) | Latin alumen | 13 | 26.9815386(8) | 13 | 3
|
Am | Americium | the Americas | 95 | [243][1] | | 7
|
Ar | Argon | Greek argon | 18 | 39.948(1)[2] [3] | 18 | 3
|
As | Arsenic | Greek arsenikos | 33 | 74.92160(2) | 15 | 4
|
At | Astatine | Greek astatos | 85 | [210][1] | 17 | 6
|
Au | Gold | Latin aurum | 79 | 196.966569(4) | 11 | 6
|
B | Boron | borax | 5 | 10.811(7)[2] [4] [3] | 13 | 2
|
Ba | Barium | Greek barys | 56 | 137.327(7) | 2 | 6
|
Be | Beryllium | beryl | 4 | 9.012182(3) | 2 | 2
|
Bh | Bohrium | Neils Bohr | 107 | [264][1] | 7 | 7
|
Bi | Bismuth | corruption of the German wissmuth | 83 | 208.98040(1) | 15 | 6
|
Bk | Berkelium | Berkeley, California | 97 | [247][1] | | 7
|
Br | Bromine | Greek bromos | 35 | 79.904(1) | 17 | 4
|
C | Carbon | Latin carbo | 6 | 12.0107(8)[2] [3] | 14 | 2
|
Ca | Calcium | Latin calx | 20 | 40.078(4)[2] | 2 | 4
|
Cd | Cadmium | corruption of the Greek kadmia | 48 | 112.411(8)[2] | 12 | 5
|
Ce | Cerium | Ceres | 58 | 140.116(1)[2] | | 6
|
Cf | Californium | State and University of California | 98 | [251][1] | | 7
|
Cl | Chlorine | Greek chloros | 17 | 35.453(2)[2] [4] [3] | 17 | 3
|
Cm | Curium | Pierre and Marie Curie and the traditional -um ending | 96 | [247][1] | | 7
|
Co | Cobalt | corruption of the German kobold | 27 | 58.933195(5) | 9 | 4
|
Cr | Chromium | Greek chroma | 24 | 51.9961(6) | 6 | 4
|
Cs | Caesium (Cesium) | Latin caesius | 55 | 132.9054519(2) | 1 | 6
|
Cu | Copper | Latin Cuprum | 29 | 63.546(3)[3] | 11 | 4
|
Db | Dubnium | Dubna, Russia | 105 | [262][1] | 5 | 7
|
Ds | Darmstadtium | Darmstadt, Germany | 110 | [271][1] | 10 | 7
|
Dy | Dysprosium | Greek dysprositos | 66 | 162.500(1)[2] | | 6
|
Er | Erbium | Ytterby, Sweden | 68 | 167.259(3)[2] | | 6
|
Es | Einsteinium | Albert Einstein | 99 | [252][1] | | 7
|
Eu | Europium | Europe | 63 | 151.964(1)[2] | | 6
|
F | Fluorine | Latin fluo | 9 | 18.9984032(5) | 17 | 2
|
Fe | Iron | Latin ferrum | 26 | 55.845(2) | 8 | 4
|
Fm | Fermium | Enrico Fermi | 100 | [257][1] | | 7
|
Fr | Francium | France | 87 | [223][1] | 1 | 7
|
Ga | Gallium | Latin Gallia | 31 | 69.723(1) | 13 | 4
|
Gd | Gadolinium | gadolinite | 64 | 157.25(3)[2] | | 6
|
Ge | Germanium | Germany | 32 | 72.64(1) | 14 | 4
|
H | Hydrogen | Greek hydror | 1 | 1.00794(7)[2] [4] [3] | 1 | 1
|
He | Helium | Greek helios | 2 | 4.002602(2)[2] [3] | 18 | 1
|
Hf | Hafnium | Latin Hafnia | 72 | 178.49(2) | 4 | 6
|
Hg | Mercury | Latin hydrargyrum | 80 | 200.59(2) | 12 | 6
|
Ho | Holmium | Latin Holmia | 67 | 164.930 32(2) | | 6
|
Hs | Hassium | Hesse, Germany | 108 | [277][1] | 8 | 7
|
I | Iodine | Greek ioeides | 53 | 126.904 47(3) | 17 | 5
|
In | Indium | indigo blue | 49 | 114.818(3) | 13 | 5
|
Ir | Iridium | Greek iris | 77 | 192.217(3) | 9 | 6
|
K | Potassium (Kalium) | Latin kalium | 19 | 39.0983(1) | 1 | 4
|
Kr | Krypton | Greek kryptos | 36 | 83.798(2)[2] [4] | 18 | 4
|
La | Lanthanum | Greek lanthanien | 57 | 138.90547(7)[2] | | 6
|
Li | Lithium | Greek lithos | 3 | 6.941(2)[2] [4] [3] [5] | 1 | 2
|
Lr | Lawrencium | Ernest O. Lawrence | 103 | [262][1] | 3 | 7
|
Lu | Lutetium | Latin Lutetia | 71 | 174.967(1)[2] | 3 | 6
|
Md | Mendelevium | Dmitri Mendeleyev | 101 | [258][1] | | 7
|
Mg | Magnesium | Magnesia, Greece | 12 | 24.3050(6) | 2 | 3
|
Mn | Manganese | Latin magnes | 25 | 54.938045(5) | 7 | 4
|
Mo | Molybdenum | Greek molybdos | 42 | 95.94(2)[2] | 6 | 5
|
Mt | Meitnerium | Lise Meitner | 109 | [268][1] | 9 | 7
|
N | Nitrogen | Greek nitron | 7 | 14.0067(2)[2] [3] | 15 | 2
|
Na | Sodium | Latin natrium | 11 | 22.98976928(2) | 1 | 3
|
Nb | Niobium | Niobe | 41 | 92.906 38(2) | 5 | 5
|
Nd | Neodymium | Greek neos didymos | 60 | 144.242(3)[2] | | 6
|
Ne | Neon | Greek neos | 10 | 20.1797(6)[2] [4] | 18 | 2
|
Ni | Nickel | German kupfernickel | 28 | 58.6934(2) | 10 | 4
|
No | Nobelium | Alfred Nobel | 102 | [259][1] | | 7
|
Np | Neptunium | Neptune | 93 | [237][1] | | 7
|
O | Oxygen | Greek oxys | 8 | 15.9994(3)[2] [3] | 16 | 2
|
Os | Osmium | Greek osme | 76 | 190.23(3)[2] | 8 | 6
|
P | Phosphorus | Greek phosphoros | 15 | 30.973762(2) | 15 | 3
|
Pa | Protactinium | Greek protos and actinium | 91 | 231.03588(2)[1] | | 7
|
Pb | Lead | Latin plumbum | 82 | 207.2(1)[2] [3] | 14 | 6
|
Pd | Palladium | Pallas and the traditional -dium ending | 46 | 106.42(1)[2] | 10 | 5
|
Pm | Promethium | Prometheus | 61 | [145][1] | | 6
|
Po | Polonium | Poland | 84 | [210][1] | 16 | 6
|
Pr | Praseodymium | Greek prasios | 59 | 140.90765(2) | | 6
|
Pt | Platinum | Greek platina | 78 | 195.084(9) | 10 | 6
|
Pu | Plutonium | Pluto | 94 | [244][1] | | 7
|
Ra | Radium | Latin radius | 88 | [226][1] | 2 | 7
|
Rb | Rubidium | Latin rubidus | 37 | 85.4678(3)[2] | 1 | 5
|
Re | Rhenium | German Rheinprovinz | 75 | 186.207(1) | 7 | 6
|
Rf | Rutherfordium | Ernest Rutherford | 104 | 261[1] | 4 | 7
|
Rg | Roentgenium | Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen | 111 | [272][1] | 11 | 7
|
Rh | Rhodium | Greek rhodon | 45 | 102.905 50(2) | 9 | 5
|
Rn | Radon | radium and emanation | 86 | [220][1] | 18 | 6
|
Ru | Ruthenium | Latin Ruthenia | 44 | 101.07(2)[2] | 8 | 5
|
S | Sulfur (Sulphur) | Latin sulfur | 16 | 32.065(5)[2] [3] | 16 | 3
|
Sb | Antimony | Latin stibium | 51 | 121.760(1)[2] | 15 | 5
|
Sc | Scandium | Scandinavia | 21 | 44.955912(6) | 3 | 4
|
Se | Selenium | Greek selene | 34 | 78.96(3)[3] | 16 | 4
|
Sg | Seaborgium | Glenn T. Seaborg | 106 | [266][1] | 6 | 7
|
Si | Silicon | Latin silex | 14 | 28.0855(3)[3] | 14 | 3
|
Sm | Samarium | samarskite | 62 | 150.36(2)[2] | | 6
|
Sn | Tin | Latin stannum | 50 | 118.710(7)[2] | 14 | 5
|
Sr | Strontium | Latin Strontian | 38 | 87.62(1)[2] [3] | 2 | 5
|
Ta | Tantalum | King Tantalus | 73 | 180.94788(2) | 5 | 6
|
Tb | Terbium | Ytterby, Sweden | 65 | 158.92535(2) | | 6
|
Tc | Technetium | Greek technetos | 43 | [98][1] | 7 | 5
|
Te | Tellurium | Greek tellus | 52 | 127.60(3)[2] | 16 | 5
|
Th | Thorium | Thor | 90 | 232.03806(2)[1] [2] | | 7
|
Ti | Titanium | the Titans | 22 | 47.867(1) | 4 | 4
|
Tl | Thallium | Greek thallos | 81 | 204.3833(2) | 13 | 6
|
Tm | Thulium | Thule and the traditional -ium ending | 69 | 168.93421(2) | | 6
|
U | Uranium | Uranus | 92 | 238.02891(3)[1] [2] [4] | | 7
|
Uub | Ununbium | Latin uni, uni, and bi | 112 | [285][1] | 12 | 7
|
Uuh | Ununhexium | Latin uni, uni, and Greek hex | 116 | [292][1] | 16 | 7
|
Uuo | Ununoctium | Latin uni, uni, and oct | 118 | [294][1] | 18 | 7
|
Uup | Ununpentium | Latin uni, uni, and Greek pent | 115 | [288][1] | 15 | 7
|
Uuq | Ununquadium | Latin uni, uni, and quadr | 114 | [289][1] | 14 | 7
|
Uut | Ununtrium | Latin uni, uni, and Greek tri | 113 | [284][1] | 13 | 7
|
V | Vanadium | Vanadis | 23 | 50.9415(1) | 5 | 4
|
W | Tungsten | German wolfram | 74 | 183.84(1) | 6 | 6
|
Xe | Xenon | Greek xenos | 54 | 131.293(6)[2] [4] | 18 | 5
|
Y | Yttrium | Ytterby, Sweden | 39 | 88.90585(2) | 3 | 5
|
Yb | Ytterbium | Ytterby, Sweden | 70 | 173.04(3)[2] | | 6
|
Zn | Zinc | German zin | 30 | 65.409(4) | 12 | 4
|
Zr | Zirconium | zircon | 40 | 91.224(2)[2] | 4 | 5
|
Symbols not currently used
The following is a list of names formerly used or suggested for use in naming the elements listed above. Also included in this list are placeholder names and names given by discredited claimants for discovery. Names which retain local use (as with aluminum and jod) are not included in this table.
Pictographic symbols
The following is a list of pictographic symbols employed to symbolize elements known since ancient times (for example to the alchemists). Not included in this list are symbolic representations of substances previously called elements (such as certain rare earth mineral blends and the classical elements fire and water of ancient philosophy) which are known today to be multi-atomic. Also not included are symbolic representations currently used for elements in other languages such as the Traditional Chinese elements. Modern alphabetic notation was introduced in 1814 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj The element does not have any stable nuclides, and a value in brackets, e.g. [209], indicates the mass number of the longest-lived isotope of the element. However, three elements, Thorium, Protactinium, and Uranium, have a characteristic terrestrial isotopic composition, and thus their atomic mass given.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am The isotopic composition of this element varies in some geological specimens, and the variation may exceed the uncertainty stated in the table.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o The isotopic composition varies in terrestrial material such that a more precise atomic weight can not be given.
- ^ a b c d e f g h The isotopic composition of the element can vary in commercial materials, which can cause the atomic weight to deviate significantly from the given value.
- ^ The atomic weight of commercial Lithium can vary between 6.939 and 6.996—analysis of the specific material is necessary to find a more accurate value.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az Name changed due to a standardization of, modernization of, or update to older previously used symbol.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Name designated by discredited/disputed claimant.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Name proposed prior to discovery/creation of element or prior to official re-naming of a placeholder name.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Temporary placeholder name.
Symbols for named isotopes
The following is a list of isotopes of elements given in the previous tables which have been designated unique symbols. By this it is meant that a comprehensive list of current systematic symbols (in the uAtom form) are not included in the list and can instead be found in the Index to isotope pages chart. Some of the following symbols are no longer in use within the scientific community, however others (most notably some of the named isotopes of hydrogen) continue to be used today. Many of these symbols were designated during the early years of radiochemistry, and several isotopes (namely those in the actinium decay family, the radium decay family, and the thorium decay family) bear placeholder names using the early naming system devised by Ernest Rutherford. Although it is not an isotope, this is perhaps the most useful place to mention that H is the proposed symbol for the only created anti-element, antihydrogen.
Chemical Symbol | Name | Atomic Number | Origin of Symbol
|
Ac | Actinium | 89 | From the Greek aktinos. Name restricted at one time to 227Ac, 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 215Po, 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 211Pb, 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 211Bi, 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 211Po, 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 at one time 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 at one time 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 234Pa, 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 that look like element symbols
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj The element does not have any stable nuclides, and a value in brackets, e.g. [209], indicates the mass number of the longest-lived isotope of the element. However, three elements, Thorium, Protactinium, and Uranium, have a characteristic terrestrial isotopic composition, and thus their atomic mass given.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am The isotopic composition of this element varies in some geological specimens, and the variation may exceed the uncertainty stated in the table.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o The isotopic composition varies in terrestrial material such that a more precise atomic weight can not be given.
- ^ a b c d e f g h The isotopic composition of the element can vary in commercial materials, which can cause the atomic weight to deviate significantly from the given value.
- ^ The atomic weight of commercial Lithium can vary between 6.939 and 6.996—analysis of the specific material is necessary to find a more accurate value.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az Name changed due to a standardization of, modernization of, or update to older previously used symbol.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Name designated by discredited/disputed claimant.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Name proposed prior to discovery/creation of element or prior to official re-naming of a placeholder name.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Temporary placeholder name.
References
- Element name etymologies. Retrieved July 15, 2005.
- Atomic Weights of the Elements 2001, Pure Appl. Chem. 75(8), 1107-1122, 2003. Retrieved June 30, 2005. Atomic weights of elements with atomic numbers from 1-109 taken from this source.
- IUPAC Standard Atomic Weights Revised (2005).
- WebElements Periodic Table. Retrieved June 30, 2005. Atomic weights of elements with atomic numbers 110-116 taken from this source.
- Lapp, Ralph E. Matter. Life Science Library. New York: Time Incorporated. 1963.
- Leighton, Robert B. Principles of Modern Physics. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1959.
|