Overview
This lecture presents a list of all 118 chemical elements, comparing their names in English and Spanish, with symbols and atomic numbers.
Element Table Overview
- Chemical elements are listed by atomic number, with their symbols and names in both English and Spanish.
- Most elements have similar-sounding names in both languages, but spellings often change to suit Spanish pronunciation rules.
- Some elements have very different names in Spanish (e.g., Tungsten is "Wolframio").
- Knowledge of these translations is important for studying chemistry in Spanish-speaking contexts.
Notable Differences & Patterns
- Spanish names usually end with “-io” or “-o” (e.g., Helio for Helium, Oxígeno for Oxygen).
- Some element names are direct translations (e.g., Carbon = Carbono, Gold = Oro).
- Certain elements have historical or Latin-based names in Spanish that differ from the English (e.g., Silver = Plata, Lead = Plomo).
- Element symbols remain the same internationally.
Example Element Translations
- Hydrogen = Hidrógeno
- Sodium = Sodio
- Lead = Plomo
- Mercury = Mercurio
- Potassium = Potasio
Key Terms & Definitions
- Atomic Number — The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus; defines the element.
- Element Symbol — One- or two-letter abbreviation for a chemical element.
- Element Name — The full word for the element, which may differ in different languages.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the full periodic table in Spanish for further study.
- Practice matching element names between English and Spanish to reinforce memorization.