Multiple Choice
Which element has 56 protons in its nucleus?
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4. Atoms and Elements
Periodic Table: Element Symbols
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In the periodic table, is "Co" a valid chemical symbol for an element?
A
No; Co is the symbol for carbon monoxide, not an element.
B
Yes; Co is the symbol for cobalt.
C
No; Co is not an element symbol because element symbols must have two lowercase letters.
D
Yes; Co is the symbol for copper.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that chemical symbols for elements are one or two letters long, with the first letter always capitalized and the second letter, if present, always lowercase.
Recall that 'Co' with a capital 'C' and lowercase 'o' is the correct format for an element symbol, not a compound or molecule.
Identify that 'Co' is the symbol for the element cobalt, which is a transition metal on the periodic table.
Recognize that carbon monoxide is a chemical compound represented by the formula 'CO' (both letters capitalized), not an element symbol.
Confirm that 'Co' is not the symbol for copper; copper's symbol is 'Cu'.
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