Q. What would be the IUPAC name for the element with atomic number 120?
Solution:
Number
Root
0
nil
1
un
2
bi
3
tri
4
quad
5
pent
6
hex
7
sept
8
oct
9
enn
The name is derived directly from the atomic number of the element using the above Latin numerical roots.
The roots are put together in the order of the digits which make up the atomic number and terminated by 'ium' to spell out the name. The final 'n' of 'enn' is elided when it occurs before 'nil', and the final 'i' of 'bi' and of 'tri' when it occurs before 'ium'.
The symbol of the element is composed of the initial letters of the numerical roots which make up the name.
The root 'un' is pronounced with a long 'u', to rhyme with 'moon'.
In the element names each root is to be pronounced separately.
| Number | Root |
|---|---|
| 0 | nil |
| 1 | un |
| 2 | bi |
| 3 | tri |
| 4 | quad |
| 5 | pent |
| 6 | hex |
| 7 | sept |
| 8 | oct |
| 9 | enn |