To identify an element based on its symbol and atomic number, you can use the following guidelines:
Symbol: Each element in the periodic table is represented by a unique symbol consisting of one or two letters. The first letter of the symbol is always capitalized, while the second letter, if present, is written in lowercase. For example, H represents hydrogen, He represents helium, C represents carbon, and Fe represents iron.
Atomic Number: The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It is typically represented by the symbol Z. The atomic number is usually written as a subscript to the left of the element's symbol. For example, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, helium has an atomic number of 2, carbon has an atomic number of 6, and iron has an atomic number of 26.
By combining the element's symbol and atomic number, you can uniquely identify an element. For instance, oxygen is represented by the symbol O and has an atomic number of 8. Sodium is represented by the symbol Na and has an atomic number of 11. Uranium is represented by the symbol U and has an atomic number of 92.
It's important to note that the atomic number determines the element's identity, while the symbol is a shorthand representation used in chemical formulas and equations.