What is the chemical symbol for sodium?

• A. Ca
• B. Na
• C. K
• D. N

Answer: (B)

Elements are identified by one- or two-letter symbols that are standardized worldwide. For sodium, the symbol Na comes from its older Latin name natrium, and this is the symbol used in all chemical formulas and on the periodic table. So in practice you’ll see sodium written as Na, for example in table salt, which is NaCl.

The other symbols correspond to different elements: Ca is calcium, K is potassium (from kalium), and N is nitrogen. Each symbol is tied to the element’s official name, not sodium, which is why Na is the correct shorthand for sodium.