Why is the symbol of iron Fe?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the chemical symbol for iron, specifically why it is represented as 'Fe'. This relates to the etymology of the elemental symbols derived from Latin and other historical contexts.
Answer
The symbol Fe for iron comes from the Latin word 'ferrum'.
The final answer is that the symbol Fe for iron comes from the Latin word 'ferrum', meaning 'iron'.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that the symbol Fe for iron comes from the Latin word 'ferrum', meaning 'iron'.
More Information
Iron's symbol, Fe, prevents confusion with other elements like iodine (I) or fluorine (F) by using a symbol derived from Latin.
Tips
Sometimes students may incorrectly assume that symbols are based on English names, but many elements use Latin origins.
Sources
- Why is iron Fe on the periodic table? - Quora - quora.com
- Iron - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- In chemistry why is the iron symbol Fe? - Homework.Study.com - homework.study.com
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