Which one of the following elements has a symbol that is not derived from its foreign name?
A)tin
B)aluminum
C)mercury
D)copper
E)lead

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symbol for aluminum (Al) is not derived from its foreign name or any other language. It was created by its discoverer, Sir Humphry Davy, who used the word "alumina" to describe the compound from which the metal was extracted. The other elements have symbols derived from their foreign names: Sn (tin from the Latin stannum), Hg (mercury from the Greek hydrargyrum), Cu (copper from the Latin cuprum), and Pb (lead from the Latin plumbum).

Which One of the Following Elements Has a Symbol That