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IR-3 Elements
C O N T E N T S
IR-3.1 Names and symbols of atoms
IR-3.1.1 Systematic nomenclature and symbols for new elements
IR-3.2 Indication o f m ass, charge and atomic number using i ndexes (subscripts and
superscripts)
IR-3.3 Isotopes
IR-3.3.1 Isotopes of an element
IR-3.3.2 Isotopes of hydrogen
IR-3.4 Elements (or elementary substances)
IR-3.4.1 Name of an element of indefinite molecular formula o r s tructure
IR-3.4.2 Allotropes (allotropic modifications) of elements
IR-3.4.3 Names of allotropes o f d efinite molecular formula
IR-3.4.4 Crystalline allotropic m odifications of an element
IR-3.4.5 Solid amorphous modifications and commonly recognized allotropes of
indefinite structure
IR-3.5 Elements in the periodic t able
IR-3.6 References
IR-3.1 N A M E S A N D S Y M B O L S O F A T O M S
The origins of the names of some c hemical elements, f or example a ntimony, are lost in
antiquity. Other elements recognized (or discovered) during the past three centuries were
named according to various associations of origin, physical or chemical properties, etc., and
more recently to commemorate the names of eminent s cientists.
In the past, some elements were given t wo names because two groups claimed to have
discovered them. To avoid such confusion it was decided in 1947 that after the existence of a
new element had been proved b eyond reasonable doubt, d iscoverers had the right to suggest
a n ame to IUPAC, but that only the Commission on Nomenclature of Inorganic C hemistry
(CNIC) c ould make a r ecommendation to the IUPAC Council to make t he final decision.
1
Under the present procedure, claims of the discovery of a n ew element are first
investigated by a j oint IUPAC-IUPAP (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics)
committee which then assigns priority. The acknowledged discoverers are then invited t o
suggest a n ame to the Division of Inorganic C hemistry, which then makes a f ormal
recommendation to the IUPAC Council. It is emphasized that the name f or any new element
resulting from the above process, once approved by Council, is not intended t o c arry any
implication regarding priority of discovery. The same is understood to apply t o t he names
approved by IUPAC in the past, whatever the prehistory.
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