Question

The symbol of an element is X.Is it possible that the formula of the element will also be X? Explain with examples .

Answer 1

The symbol for an element denotes the elemental representation of the element.

However the formula of an element depends upon the state it exists in.

For example in cases of elements like sodium, the element exists in the form of Na, which is also the symbol for the element.

Therefore in this case, the symbol and formula of the element is same.

However this is not seen in elements like hydrogen, where the formula is H2, but the symbol is H

Answer 2

There is difference between a symbol and a formula.We use symbols to represent elements whereas formulas represent compounds.So, as everyone knows, two elements form a compound. Therefore the formulas mostly wary from symbols