Question

wekesa, a grade 8 learner, wants to know why the symbol for aluminium is al and the symbol for nitrogen is n. explain to wekesa how the chemical symbols have been derived.
5 gold, silver and copper are used in making jewellery.
a) state two reasons that make them suitable for making jewellery.
b) if one was to buy a wedding ring made of the three elements, which one will have the highest market value? give a reason for your answer.
6 iron is the most commonly used element in day - to - day life. state some of its applications.
7 you have been invited by members of the science club at your school to talk to them about the market value of common elements. briefly write what you will present in your exercise book.
8 a) identify the elements described below.
i) i am used in filling weather balloons. who am i? write my symbol.
ii) i am the most abundant component of air. who am i? write my symbol.

Explanation:

• Chemical symbols are often derived from the first one or two letters of the element's English or Latin name. Aluminium starts with 'Al', so its symbol is Al. Nitrogen starts with 'N', so its symbol is N.
• Gold, silver and copper are suitable for jewellery - they are malleable (can be shaped easily), have an attractive lustre. Gold has the highest market value among them as it is rarer and has high desirability.
• Iron is used in construction (e.g., in steel - for buildings and bridges), in making tools, and in vehicles (e.g., in engine parts).
• For the Science Club talk, one could present on factors affecting element market value like rarity, demand, and production cost.
• i) The element used in filling weather - balloons is helium (symbol He).
• ii) The most abundant component of air is nitrogen (symbol N).

Answer:

• Chemical symbols origin: Aluminium's symbol Al from its name start, nitrogen's symbol N from its name start.
• Jewellery reasons: Malleability, attractive lustre. Gold has highest value due to rarity and desirability.
• Iron applications: Construction, tools, vehicles.
• Science Club talk: Factors affecting element market value.
• i) Helium, symbol He.
• ii) Nitrogen, symbol N.