Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 7
Scientific Terminology and Symbols
“
Chemical formulae and equations are the language of experts in chemistry, communica-
tion across borders is not possible without them. The description of chemical processes
would be as complicated as if we had to write our curriculum vitae in cuneiform
characters
”[
1
].
With this statement Peter von Zahn [
1
] emphasizes the importance of chemical
symbols, which he calls a unique communication tool for chemists - whether they
work in Europe or America, in China, or Japan. With this in mind it is also an
important aim of chemical education to teach chemistry terminology and symbols
to students. They have to be able to read about and in newspapers and magazines.
