2006-09-22 07:09:37 · 7 answers · asked by tweako 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Hydragyrum, its Latin name. Most elements discovered in antiquity will have their symbols based on their Latin names.
Fe (ferrum) - iron
Cu (cuprum) - copper
Na (natrium) - sodium
K (kalium) - potassium
Ag (argentum) - silver
Au (aurum) - gold
Pb (plumbum) - lead
The only element whose symbol is based on its German name is tungsten (wolfram, W).
2006-09-22 07:12:16 · answer #1 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's from the Latin name "Hydrargyrum," literally meaning "water silver."
Most metals known to the ancients have symbols derived from their Latin names:
Au Gold
Ag Silver
Sn Tin
Pb Lead
Fe Iron
W Tungsten
Na Sodium
Cu Copper
K Potassium
Sb Antimony
2006-09-22 07:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by rorgg 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an abreviation of its Latin name, hydrargyrum, which literally means "water silver," evoking its alternative English language name, quicksilver. (Note that silver's abbreviation, Ag, is from its own Latin name, argentum.) Both relate to the fact that this metal is a liquid at room temperature.
2006-09-22 07:14:56 · answer #3 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
from the Latinized Greek hydrargyrum, which means quick silver.
2006-09-22 07:23:16 · answer #4 · answered by washiko 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, i have a friend who's band name is inches of mercury and that is the symboly they use
2006-09-22 07:11:07 · answer #5 · answered by Big D's Sexy Peach 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientific label - just like H2O.....given code.
2006-09-22 07:13:09 · answer #6 · answered by Marsha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as above
2006-09-23 01:43:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋