Question

How is sodium ion symbol written?

Answer 1

Hint The chemical symbol of an element is given by writing the first one or two letters of the name of the element. In some cases, the Latin or Greek name of the element is used in assigning the chemical symbol.

Complete step by step answer:
- Some of the elements that were being used from ancient times, have certain names in Latin and Greek language.
- Chemical symbols of any elements generally consist of one to three letters. It is necessary that the first letter of the symbol is capital.
- In certain cases, the symbol of the element is given its name in either Latin or Greek language. In such cases, symbols are not derived from the actual name of the element.
- Generally either only the first letter of the name or first two letters of the name is used in the scientific notation of the chemical symbol of the element.
- The chemical symbol of sodium is given from its name in Latin which is ‘Natrium”. In Greek, sodium is called ‘Natros’. So, from two languages, the initial two letters of the name are used to describe the element.
- Now, sodium is an alkali metal which has 1 electron in its valence shell. It loses the single electron to a negatively charged polyatomic ion. Since it loses one electron, it develops a positive charge.
- Thus, the chemical symbol of sodium ion is $N{a}^{+}$.

Note: The chemical symbol of sodium metal is not derived from its name ‘sodium’. Instead, its chemical symbol is assigned from its name in Latin which is ‘Natros’.