Term
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Definition
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Informatoin System (WHMIS) system
is a good example of the power of symbols to communicate. |
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Term
| To give every element a unique symbol |
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Definition
• Every element is represented by the first letter of its name or by the first letter of its name and a second letter from its name. For the elements that were identified first, the letters were taken from their Latin names.
• When a first letter was previously used, a letter from the rest of the name is added; for example, C was used for carbon, so calcium became Ca,
cobalt became Co, and chromium became Cr.
• The first letter is always capitalized and the second letter is always lower case. |
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Term
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Definition
| Grouping elements together according to their properties helps predict how they might react. |
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Term
| Metals, Non-Metals, and Metalloids |
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Definition
One common way to classify elements based on their physical and chemical
properties is to group them as as metals, non-metals, or metalloids. |
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Term
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Definition
| The elements that do not have the characteristics of metals are usually classified as non-metals. |
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Term
| Metalloids or Semi-Metals |
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Definition
| A few elements do not fit exclusively into either group and are called metalloids semi-metals or semiconductors). |
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Term
| Some Elements and Their Symbols |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
Property Characteristic
lustre dull appearance
malleability likely to be brittle or shatter when struck
melting point and usually lower melting points boiling point and boiling points than metals
state often gases at room temperature
conductivity poor conductors of heat and electricity |
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