Question

What is the symbol for the element magnesium?
A.\[Mn\]
B.$Md$
C.$Mg$
D.$Mt$
E.$Mo$

Answer 1

Hint: The symbol of the elements are decided as either the first letter of the name of the element or may be the first two letters of the name of the element or may the first letter of the Latin word from which the name of the element came.

Complete step by step solution:
First we will describe the elements, atomic mass, atomic number and then we will come to the point how they got names.
Elements: It is defined as a substance which cannot be further broken down by chemical or any physical method. Elements are made up of atoms. Atoms contain three types of particles: Electrons, protons and neutrons.
Elements are classified into two categories: Metals and non-metals. There is also a third category known as metalloids which act as metals as well as non-metals.
Metals : Metals are generally solid at room temperature. They are silvery-grey in colour. They are shiny in nature. They are hard to cut. They are malleable (which can be hammered to thin sheets) and ductile (which can be drawn into thin wires). They are good conductors of heat and electricity. They have high melting and boiling points. They are sonorous (produce sound when stuck).
Non-metals : Non- metals found in every state (i.e. solid, liquid and gas) at room temperature. They are different colours. They are dull to see. They are soft to cut. They are non-malleable (which cannot be hammered to thin sheets) and non-ductile (which cannot be drawn into thin wires). They are bad conductors of heat and electricity. They have low melting and boiling points. They are non-sonorous (does not produce sound when stuck).

Now the name of the elements are as follows:
1.Symbol may be the first letter of the name of the element. For example Hydrogen. The symbol for hydrogen is $H$.
2.Symbol may be the first two letters of the name of the element. The first letter will be in uppercase and the second letter will be in lowercase. For example: Neon. The symbol for Neon is $Ne$
3.Symbol may be the first letter of the latin word of the element. For example: Silver. The latin name is Argentum. So the symbol of silver is $Ag$. Similarly the latin of sodium is Natrium. So the symbol for the sodium is $Na$.
4.And also some elements have the symbol by using the first and third letter. For example: Magnesium has the symbol $Mg$ first letter of magnesium is capital and third letter in lower case.

Hence, option C is correct.

Note:
1.Atomic number: It is defined as the number of protons in the atom of an element. It is represented by the symbol Z.
2.Atomic mass: It is defined as the sum of the number of protons and number of neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom of an element. It is represented by the symbol A.