Which symbol represents Hydrogen?

Which symbol represents Hydrogen?

• A. H
• B. He
• C. Li
• D. Be

Answer: (A)

Symbols on the periodic table are the short, unique shortcuts used for each element in chemical formulas. Hydrogen uses the one-letter symbol H because its English name starts with H and no other element needs that same single-letter symbol. The other elements shown have two-letter symbols: Helium is He, Lithium is Li, and Beryllium is Be, following the common pattern of capitalizing the first letter and using a lowercase second letter. This systematic shorthand lets us write and read chemical formulas quickly and clearly, like H2O or NaCl. So Hydrogen is represented by H.

Symbols on the periodic table are the short, unique shortcuts used for each element in chemical formulas. Hydrogen uses the one-letter symbol H because its English name starts with H and no other element needs that same single-letter symbol. The other elements shown have two-letter symbols: Helium is He, Lithium is Li, and Beryllium is Be, following the common pattern of capitalizing the first letter and using a lowercase second letter. This systematic shorthand lets us write and read chemical formulas quickly and clearly, like H2O or NaCl. So Hydrogen is represented by H.