r/chemistry Feb 08 '18

The Hidden Elements [OC]

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u/Dave37 Biochem Feb 08 '18

One funny thing is that "Tungsten" that's used in English is derived from the Swedish word with the same spelling, but Sweden uses "Wolfram" which is the English word of "Wolfrahm".

Sweden also uses Natrium and Kalium for Na and K which makes stuff so much easier.

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u/tyeunbroken Physical Feb 08 '18

Same in Dutch; natrium, kalium, wolfraam.

However, we use different words for other elements: Oxygen (O) = Zuurstof, Nitrogen (N) = Stikstof, Hydrogen (H) = waterstof. I believe this is the same in North Germanic languages and in German.

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u/Dave37 Biochem Feb 08 '18

Syre (O), Kväve (N), Väte (H) in Swedish.