Latin Chemical Elements

Question 1

CARB/O (kar‐bō)

Answer 1

Current: Carbon, carbon dioxide

Ety: L. carbo, carbonis, coal, charcoal

Symbol: C

Rationale: Carbon Found in graphite and charcoal

Question 2

NATRI/O (nā‐trē‐ ō)
NATR/O (nā‐trō)

Answer 2

Current: Sodium

Ety: L. natrium, salt

Symbol: Na

Rationale: Sodium Latin name for carbonate salt found in Egypt

Question 3

SILIC/O (sĭl‐ĭ‐kō)

Answer 3

Current: Silica, silicon

Ety: L. silex, silicis, flint; silica

Symbol: Si

Rationale: Silicon Found in flint

Question 4

KALI/O (kal‐ ē‐ ō)
KAL/O (ka‐lō)

Answer 4

Current: Potassium

Ety: L. kalium, potash

Symbol: K

Rationale: Potassium Later Latin derived from Arabic al‐ qaliy “burnt ashes”, alkali

Question 5

CALC/O (kal‐kō)

Answer 5

Current: Calcium, lime

Ety: L. calx, calcis, limestone, lime concretion

Symbol: Ca

Rationale: Calcium Same

Question 6

FERR/O (fĕr‐ ō)

Answer 6

Current: Iron

Ety: L. ferrum, iron

Symbol: Fe
Rationale: Iron Same

Question 7

ARGENT/O (ar‐jent‐ ō)

Answer 7

Current: Silver

Ety: L. argentum, silver
Symbol: Ag
Rationale: Silver Same

Question 8

CUPR/O (kū‐prō)

Answer 8

Current: Copper

Ety: L. cuprum, copper

Symbol: Cu

Rationale: Copper Named for of the island of Cyprus, where copper was mined by the Romans

Question 9

STANN/O (stan‐ō)

Answer 9

Current: Tin

Ety: L. stannum, tin

Symbol: Sn
Rationale: Tin Same

Question 10

*AUR/O (or‐ ō)

Answer 10

Current: Gold

Ety: L. aurum, gold

Symbol: Au
Rationale: Gold Same

Question 11

HYDRARGYR/O (hī‐ dror‐jĭ‐rō)

Answer 11

Current: Mercury

Ety: L. hydrargyrum, mercury, liquid silver

Symbol: Hg

Rationale: Mercury Latinized Greek for “silver” (argyr/o) and “water” (hydr/o)