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Quizzes > Science

Element Abbreviations Quiz: Name the Symbols

Quick, free chemical symbols quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Heather ScottUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a periodic table abbreviations quiz on a sky blue background.

This element abbreviations quiz helps you match chemical symbols to their elements and see where you need more practice. Get instant results and build speed in a few quick rounds. For extra practice, try our element symbol quiz, a timed chemical symbol test, or a full periodic table of elements quiz.

What element is represented by the symbol O?
Gold
Oxygen
Osmium
Oganesson
The symbol O corresponds to Oxygen, which is atomic number 8 on the periodic table. Oxygen is a diatomic gas making up about 21% of Earth's atmosphere and is essential for respiration in most life forms. Its name is derived from the Greek words 'oxy' and 'gen,' meaning acid producer.
Which element has the symbol N?
Sodium
Neon
Nitrogen
Nickel
The chemical symbol N stands for Nitrogen, which is atomic number 7 on the periodic table. Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere by volume. Its diatomic form is vital for many biological and industrial processes.
Which element is represented by the symbol C?
Calcium
Carbon
Cerium
Chlorine
The symbol C denotes Carbon, atomic number 6 in the periodic table. Carbon is the basis for all known life and occurs in various allotropes such as diamond and graphite. Its versatility is unmatched in organic chemistry.
What element has the symbol K?
Potassium
Kalium
Krypton
Krypton
The symbol K stands for Potassium, which comes from the Latin word 'kalium.' It is atomic number 19 and is a soft, silvery metal important in biological systems. Potassium ions play a key role in nerve function.
Which element is represented by the symbol Fe?
Francium
Fermium
Fluorine
Iron
Fe is the chemical symbol for Iron, derived from its Latin name 'ferrum.' Iron is atomic number 26 and is the most widely used metal globally. It plays a vital role in blood formation in living organisms.
What element does the symbol Na represent?
Sodium
Niobium
Neon
Nitrogen
The symbol Na denotes Sodium, from the Latin 'natrium.' It is atomic number 11 and is a soft, highly reactive metal. Sodium compounds are essential for nerve function and cellular fluid balance.
Which element is represented by the symbol Ag?
Arsenic
Argon
Silver
Gallium
Ag is the symbol for Silver, from its Latin name 'argentum.' Silver is atomic number 47 and is known for its high electrical conductivity. It has been used in currency and jewelry for millennia.
Which element has the symbol Au?
Gold
Astatine
Aluminum
Uranium
The symbol Au stands for Gold, derived from its Latin name 'aurum.' Gold is atomic number 79, valued for its malleability and resistance to corrosion. It has cultural, monetary, and industrial importance.
What element is represented by the symbol He?
Holmium
Heliumium
Helium
Hydrogen
The symbol He denotes Helium, atomic number 2. Helium is a noble gas known for its low density and inertness. It is used in balloons, deep-sea breathing systems, and cryogenics.
Which element is denoted by the symbol Pb?
Lead
Platinum
Protactinium
Palladium
Pb comes from the Latin word 'plumbum,' denoting Lead, atomic number 82. Lead is a heavy metal used historically in pipes and paints. Its toxicity has led to strict regulations on its use.
The symbol W stands for which element?
Tin
Tungsten
Tantalum
Wolframite
W represents Tungsten, also known as Wolfram, atomic number 74. Its symbol comes from the Swedish word 'tung sten,' meaning heavy stone. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals.
Which element has the chemical symbol Sn?
Tinytanium
Tin
Sodium
Strontium
Sn stands for Tin, derived from its Latin name 'stannum.' Tin is atomic number 50 and is known for its malleability and for preventing corrosion when coating other metals.
What element corresponds to the symbol Hg?
Helium
Mercury
Hafnium
Holmium
Hg is the symbol for Mercury, from the Greek 'hydrargyrum' meaning liquid silver. Mercury is atomic number 80 and is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. It has applications in thermometers and fluorescent lamps.
Which element is represented by the symbol At?
Argon
Astatine
Antimony
Actinium
The symbol At denotes Astatine, atomic number 85, a rare radioactive halogen. It was named from the Greek 'astatos,' meaning unstable. Astatine has no stable isotopes and decays quickly.
Which noble gas has the symbol Kr?
Xenon
Krypton
Radon
Argon
Kr is the chemical symbol for Krypton, a noble gas with atomic number 36. It is colorless, odorless, and occurs in trace amounts in Earth's atmosphere. Krypton is used in lighting and photography.
What element is denoted by the symbol Ne?
Nitrogen
Neodymium
Neon
Nickel
Ne stands for Neon, atomic number 10, a noble gas known for its bright glow in neon signs. It is colorless under normal conditions and is inert. Neon was discovered in 1898 filling a unique spot in the periodic table.
Which metal is represented by the symbol Ti?
Thallium
Titanium
Tin
Tellurium
Ti is the chemical symbol for Titanium, which is atomic number 22. Titanium is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. It is widely used in aerospace, medical implants, and sporting goods.
Which element corresponds to the symbol Si?
Sodium
Strontium
Sulfur
Silicon
Si denotes Silicon, atomic number 14, a metalloid essential in electronics and computer chips. Silicon dioxide is a major component of sand and glass. It has four valence electrons, making it highly versatile in semiconductors.
Which element has the symbol Rn?
Ruthenium
Radon
Rhenium
Rubidium
Rn is the symbol for Radon, a radioactive noble gas with atomic number 86. It forms from the decay of radium and can accumulate in basements, posing health risks. Radon is colorless and odorless under normal conditions.
What element is denoted by the symbol Es?
Europium
Osmium
Erbium
Einsteinium
Es represents Einsteinium, atomic number 99, named after Albert Einstein. It is a synthetic, highly radioactive actinide produced in nuclear reactors. Einsteinium has no stable isotopes and is used only in research.
Which element is represented by the symbol Md?
Meitnerium
Mendelevium
Molybdenum
Mercury
Md is the symbol for Mendelevium, atomic number 101, named after Dmitri Mendeleev. It is a synthetic element produced in particle accelerators. Mendelevium is highly radioactive and has no practical commercial applications.
What element corresponds to the symbol Cf?
Cadmium
Carbon
Cerium
Californium
Cf stands for Californium, atomic number 98, named after the University of California and the state. It is a synthetic, radioactive actinide used in neutron sources for research. Its most common isotope is Cf-252.
Which element is represented by the symbol Am?
Americium
Antimony
Arsenic
Argon
Am denotes Americium, atomic number 95, named after the Americas. It is a synthetic actinide used in smoke detectors and industrial gauges. Americium-241 is a common isotope in household smoke alarms.
What element does the symbol Ra stand for?
Rhodium
Rubidium
Rutherfordium
Radium
Ra is the symbol for Radium, atomic number 88, discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie. It is a highly radioactive alkaline earth metal. Radium was once used in luminous paints before its health hazards were understood.
Which element is represented by the symbol Th?
Thulium
Terbium
Thorium
Thallium
Th denotes Thorium, atomic number 90, named after the Norse god Thor. It is a weakly radioactive actinide once considered for nuclear fuel. Thorium occurs naturally in small amounts in rocks and soils.
Which element has the symbol Bk?
Berkelium
Barium
Bismuth
Beryllium
Bk stands for Berkelium, atomic number 97, named after Berkeley, California. It is a synthetic, radioactive transuranic element produced in nuclear reactors. Berkelium has no stable isotopes and is used only in scientific research.
Which element corresponds to the symbol Pa?
Protactinium
Polonium
Promethium
Platinum
Pa is the symbol for Protactinium, atomic number 91. It is a silvery actinide metal that is highly radioactive. Protactinium was named for being the precursor to actinium in radioactive decay series.
What element is denoted by the symbol Mc?
Meitnerium
Mercury
Moscovium
Mendelevium
Mc stands for Moscovium, atomic number 115, named after Moscow Oblast in Russia. It is a synthetic element produced in particle accelerators and has a very short half-life. Moscovium's most stable isotope decays in less than a second.
Which element corresponds to the symbol Nh?
Niobium
Neptunium
Nihonium
Neon
Nh is the symbol for Nihonium, atomic number 113, named after Japan (Nihon). It is a synthetic post-transition metal with very short-lived isotopes. Nihonium was first synthesized in 2003 and later officially recognized.
What element is represented by the symbol Ts?
Thulium
Terbium
Tennessine
Technetium
Ts denotes Tennessine, atomic number 117, named after the US state of Tennessee. It is a synthetic halogen with extremely short-lived isotopes. Tennessine was first reported in 2010 by a Russian-American collaboration.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Element Abbreviations -

    Quickly name the shorthand symbols for each element on the periodic table and reinforce your grasp of element abbreviations.

  2. Identify Common Shorthand Codes -

    Spot and correct common mix-ups in abbreviations for elements, boosting your accuracy in chemical notation.

  3. Improve Memory Retention -

    Use targeted practice to strengthen your recall of periodic table abbreviations and abbreviations for chemical elements.

  4. Assess Abbreviation Proficiency -

    Measure your score against the full set of element abbreviations and track your progress over multiple quiz attempts.

  5. Apply Abbreviations Confidently -

    Transfer your quiz success to real-world chemistry tasks by using correct periodic table abbreviations in problem-solving.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Latin Roots and IUPAC Standards -

    Many element abbreviations derive from Latin or Greek names - Na for natrium (sodium), K for kalium (potassium) and Fe for ferrum (iron). IUPAC guidelines (iupac.org) standardize these symbols, explaining apparent irregularities. A mnemonic like "Sodium's NA ture" and "Potassium's KA lium" helps cement their historical origins.

  2. Group Trends in Symbols -

    Elements in the same periodic group often follow naming patterns, as seen in Group 1: Li (lithium), Na (sodium), K (potassium), Rb (rubidium), Cs (caesium) and Fr (francium). Noting that K comes from kalium and Cs from caesium lets you predict symbols for heavier congeners. (Source: Royal Society of Chemistry periodic table guide.)

  3. Essential Bioelement Mnemonics -

    Biochemistry majors memorize CHNOPS - CaFe for Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Calcium and Iron. Use a phrase like "Crazy Harry Never Offers Pizza Slices Causing Fear" to lock in each symbol. This trick is widely taught in university biochemistry courses (PubChem, NIH).

  4. Spaced Repetition with Flashcards -

    Active recall via flashcards on apps like Anki, using the Leitner system, dramatically improves retention of abbreviations for elements. Schedule reviews at expanding intervals (1 day, 3 days, 7 days) to reinforce memory of periodic table abbreviations. Research in the Journal of Educational Psychology shows spaced practice can boost long-term recall by over 30% in just two weeks.

  5. First 20 Elements Rhyme -

    Learn H - Ca with the classic rhyme "Happy Henry Likes Beer But Could Not Obtain Food; Naughty Maggie Always Sings Songs, Clapping Pretty Cute Kids." Each word's initial maps to an element symbol (H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, K, Ca). Proven by MIT OpenCourseWare to accelerate beginner familiarity.

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