What is the chemical symbol for the element with atomic number 79? A) Ag B) Au C) Pb D) Pt
VerifiedAnswer: B) Au
Explanation:
The element with atomic number 79 is gold, and its chemical symbol is Au. This might seem surprising at first because "Au" doesn't obviously relate to the English word "gold." However, the symbol comes from gold's Latin name, "aurum," which means "shining dawn" - quite fitting for this precious metal!
Let's understand why the other options are incorrect. Silver has the chemical symbol Ag (from the Latin "argentum"), lead is represented by Pb (from "plumbum"), and platinum uses Pt. These elements have different atomic numbers: silver is 47, lead is 82, and platinum is 78.
Gold is located in Group 11 and Period 6 of the periodic table. It's known for its distinctive properties: it's highly resistant to corrosion, extremely malleable, and conducts electricity well. These characteristics, combined with its beautiful golden color, have made it valuable throughout human history for jewelry, currency, and various industrial applications.
Remember this connection: atomic number 79 equals Au for gold. The atomic number tells us exactly how many protons are in the nucleus of an atom, making it the most fundamental way to identify any element on the periodic table.
