Final answer:
Element symbols like W and Hg originate from historical or Latin names for the elements. W stands for tungsten, coming from its German name 'wolfram,' and Hg symbolizes mercury, derived from the Latin 'hydrargyrum'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origin of Chemical Symbols
Chemical symbols serve as shorthand notation to represent elements in the periodic table. Typically, the symbol consists of one or two letters derived from the element's name in English or another language, with only the first letter capitalized. For example, Co represents cobalt, while CO stands for carbon monoxide, which includes both carbon (C) and oxygen (O). Elements that have been known since ancient times often have symbols derived from their Latin names.
The symbol W represents tungsten and is derived from its German name wolfram, reflecting its historical origins and the international nature of scientific nomenclature. Likewise, the symbol Hg represents mercury, coming from the Latin word hydrargyrum, meaning 'water-silver' because of its liquid form at room temperature and its shiny, silver-like appearance.
Elements with atomic numbers greater than 112 are described using three-letter symbols to distinguish them from the rest.