Overview
Chemical symbols and notation are fundamental concepts in chemistry that allow scientists to communicate complex information about elements and compounds efficiently. Understanding these symbols is crucial for interpreting chemical formulas, which represent the composition of substances. For example...
Key Terms
Example: Oxygen (O) is an element essential for respiration.
Example: The chemical symbol for gold is Au.
Example: The molecular formula for water is H₂O.
Example: The empirical formula for hydrogen peroxide is HO.
Example: Combining hydrogen and oxygen to form water is a chemical reaction.
Example: In the reaction 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, H₂ and O₂ are reactants.
Related Topics
Periodic Table
A tabular arrangement of elements based on their atomic number and properties.
beginnerChemical Bonds
The forces that hold atoms together in compounds, including ionic and covalent bonds.
intermediateStoichiometry
The calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions.
intermediateAcids and Bases
Substances that can donate protons (acids) or accept protons (bases) in chemical reactions.
intermediateKey Concepts
Element SymbolsMolecular FormulasChemical ReactionsIonic and Covalent Bonds