Atom Definition and Symbol - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Chapter: Atoms and Molecules | Topic: Atom Definition and Symbol
ATOM DEFINITION AND SYMBOL - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: Atom Definition and Symbol
SECTION NAME
Q1. The symbol 'Fe' for iron is derived from:
- English name 'Ferrum'
- Latin name 'Ferrum'
- Greek name 'Ferros'
- French name 'Fer'
Q2. Which of the following symbols does NOT follow the rule of using the first letter capitalized and the second letter (if any) in lowercase?
- Na
- CL
- Ca
- Al
Q3. The symbol 'Na' for sodium is derived from:
- English name 'Sodium'
- Latin name 'Natrium'
- Greek name 'Natron'
- German name 'Natrium'
Q4. Which element is represented by the symbol 'K'?
- Krypton
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Kelvin
Q5. An atom is defined as:
- The smallest particle of matter that can exist independently
- The smallest particle of an element that retains its chemical properties
- A group of molecules bonded together
- A charged particle formed by loss or gain of electrons
Q6. The symbol 'Pb' for lead is derived from the Latin word:
- Plumbum
- Plumbus
- Plumbon
- Plumbium
Short Answer Questions
Q7. Define an atom. Why is it considered the basic unit of matter?
Q8. Write the symbols for the following elements: (i) Gold, (ii) Silver, (iii) Mercury, (iv) Tin. Mention the origin of each symbol (Latin/English name).
Q9. Your friend writes the symbol for chlorine as 'CL' and for cobalt as 'CO'. Point out the mistakes and write the correct symbols. Explain why these symbols must be written in a specific way.
Q10. Why do some elements have symbols that do not match their English names? Give two examples and explain the origin of their symbols.
Q11. Write the names of the elements represented by the following symbols: (i) Au, (ii) Ag, (iii) Cu, (iv) Fe. Where do these symbols come from?
Q12. What is the significance of using symbols for elements instead of writing their full names? List two advantages.
Long Answer Questions
Q13. Explain what an atom is and why it is called the building block of matter. Describe the rules for writing chemical symbols of elements. Why do some elements have symbols derived from Latin names while others use English names? Give at least four examples to illustrate your answer.
Q14. A student is confused about the following symbols: Na, K, Fe, Pb, Hg, and Au. He thinks they should be written as So, Po, Ir, Ld, Mr, and Go respectively. Help the student by explaining:
(a) Why the symbols are not based on English names.
(b) The origin of each of these six symbols.
(c) The historical reason why Latin names were used.
(d) Why consistency in symbol writing is important in chemistry.
Q15. "Chemical symbols are like a universal language that chemists around the world use to communicate." Discuss this statement by explaining: (i) how symbols make chemical equations concise, (ii) why symbols are understood universally regardless of language, (iii) how they help in writing chemical formulas, and (iv) their role in the periodic table.
Numerical / Application-Based Problems
Q16. The atomic symbol of an element contains information about its name and identity. Consider the following scenario:
A chemistry quiz has 10 elements, and students must identify them by their symbols:
Table
Symbol Student A's Answer Student B's Answer
Na Sodium Natrium
K Potassium Kalium
Fe Iron Ferrum
Cu Copper Cuprum
Ag Silver Argentum
Au Gold Aurum
Hg Mercury Hydrargyrum
Pb Lead Plumbum
Sn Tin Stannum
Sb Antimony Stibium
(a) Both students are partially correct. Explain why.
(b) Which column (A or B) represents the origin of the symbols?
(c) Write the correct modern name for each element.
(d) Why is it important for a student to know both the common name and the origin of the symbol?
Q17. In a school science exhibition, students create a display board showing the first 20 elements and their symbols.
(a) Write the symbols for the first 10 elements (Hydrogen to Neon).
(b) Identify which of these symbols are derived from English names and which from other languages.
(c) If a student mistakenly writes 'MG' instead of 'Mg' for magnesium, what error is being made? Why is this error significant?
(d) Create a mnemonic to help remember the symbols of the first 10 elements.
Q18. A pharmaceutical company in India manufactures medicines and exports them to Europe and Japan. The chemical formula of a medicine contains the symbols C, H, O, and N.
(a) Write the names of these four elements.
(b) Why can chemists in India, Europe, and Japan all understand the same formula without translation?
(c) If the formula is C₆H₁₂O₆, how many atoms of each element are present in one molecule?
(d) Calculate the total number of atoms in one molecule of this compound.
(e) How does the use of symbols make international trade in chemicals and medicines possible?