SYMBOLS AND

FORMULAS OF
ELEMENTS
Group 2
Symbols and Formulas of
Elements
 Chemical symbols and formulas are used as
easier means of representing chemical
elements and compounds. The use of
chemical symbols dates to as early as the
time of alchemical symbols and signs.
 A chemical formula is an expression that
shows the elements in a compound and the
relative proportions of those elements. For
example, The chemical formula for water is
H2O. Because Water is composed of
hydrogen and oxygen in a two to one ratio.
Symbols and Formulas of
Elements

 When English chemist John Dalton

developed his atomic theory in the early
part of the nineteenth century, he also
proposed symbols for some known
chemical elements during that time.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory
Dalton’s Atomic Theory
Dalton’s Atomic Theory
Symbols and Formulas of
Elements
 Today, the elements are symbolized
neither by using the alchemical symbols
nor by those used by Dalton. The present
system uses letters as symbols for
elements. This system was proposed by
Swiss chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius
designated the first letter of an element’s
name as its symbol.
Symbols and Formulas of
Elements
 Forexample, hydrogen is H, oxygen is O,
carbon is C, and so on. For elements
beginning with the same letter, some
symbols uses two letters (i.e., the first letter
within the name). Thus, the symbols for
calcium, chlorine, and chromium are Ca,
Cl, and Cr, respectively.
Symbols and Formulas of
Elements
 There are also elements whose symbols are
not related to their English names, but to
their Latin names, instead. For instance, the
symbol for gold is not G but Au, from its
Latin name aurum. Similarly, the symbol for
silver is Ag (from argentum); for iron, Fe
(from ferrum), for lead, Pb (from plumbum);
and many more.
Quick Quiz
 Refer to the Periodic Table in answering
the following:
1. Give at least five sets of elements
beginning with the same letter. In each
case, cite the element’s name and its
corresponding symbol.
2. Give at least five elements whose
symbols are based on their Latin names.
OXIDATION NUMBERS
 Oxidation number, also referred to as oxidation
state, is a set of small whole numbers useful in
writing formulas of compounds. It is directly related
to the ability of an element to combine with
another in forming a compound.

 In ionic compounds composed of monatomic

ions, the oxidation number of an ion is the same as
its charge.

 In covalent compounds, the oxidation number of

an atom does not necessarily correspond to the
number of covalent bonds joining the atoms in the
compound.
 The oxidation number may be based on
the valence electron of the atoms
involved.

 The oxidation number of Group A

elements can be safely predicted from
their positions in the periodic table.
GROUP OXIDATION
NUMBER
1A 1+
2A 2+
3A 3+
2+
4A For a given non-
4+ metal, its group
4- number minus 8
always gives a
5A 5+
negative value
3-
6A 6+
2-
7A 7+
1-
 Thecommon positive oxidation numbers
of all elements is the group number.

 Non-metals
starting from Group 4A to
Group 7A can have negative oxidation
numbers equal to the group numbers
minus 8.
The following rules and special conventions are
also used in assigning oxidation numbers:

o The oxidation number of an atom in its

elemental form is always zero.
o In a compound, the less electronegative
element is assigned a positive oxidation
number
o The more electronegative one is assigned a
negative oxidation number

o In an uncharged compound, the sum

of the positive and negative oxidation
numbers is zero
 • In exchanged compound the sum of a positive
and negative oxidation numbers, is zero.

• In most compounds, hydrogen has an oxidation number of

+1. An exception to this convention is in hydrides, where
the oxidation number of hydrogen is -1 when attracted to
metals such a Magnesium hydride

• The oxidation number of oxygen is -, except in peroxides

where its oxygenation numbers are -1.

• Electronegative elements in Group A such as F, Br, Cl, and I

generally exhibit the oxidation number of -1 in most ionic
compounds. However, they may acquire other oxidation
numbers when they are the part of covalent molecules.
POLYATOMIC IONS
 Polyatomic ions consist of two or more
atoms that are covalently bonded and
can be considered to behave like a single
ion. Their net charge is equal to the sum of
the individual oxidation for their
component atoms.
Common Polyatomic Atoms

Acetate

Ammonium

Carbonate

Hydroxide

Nitrate

Phosphate

Phosphite

Suffate

Sulfite
Prepared by :
Danna Stefanie G. Destura
Maureen May Gerani
Jessie Jao
Isabella Ditan
Allysa Dollesin
Chin Aime Espinola
Ainah Katreen Fortuny
Oro Ricardo Eco
Gian Elpos