Question map
Symbol of element was introduced by ________.
Explanation
The modern system of chemical symbols was introduced by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1813. Before Berzelius, John Dalton had proposed a system using geometric and pictorial symbols, such as circles with dots or lines, to represent atoms. However, Berzelius simplified this by suggesting that chemical symbols be based on the first one or two letters of the element's Latin name. For instance, he designated 'O' for oxygen and 'Fe' for iron (ferrum). This alphabetical notation was much easier to use in formulas and printing compared to Dalton's abstract symbols. Berzelius is consequently regarded as one of the fathers of modern chemistry for devising the current system of chemical notation and determining accurate atomic weights.
Sources
- [1] https://www.britannica.com/science/chemical-symbol