Solving the mystery of Chemical formulae

1) History to naming chemical formula

Jons Jacob Berzelius

Born: 20 August 1779

Birthplace: Linkoping, Sweden

Died: 7 August 1848

He was an accomplished experimenter in the field of electrochemistry.

In preparing a chemistry text book for his medical students, Berzelius begin the series of experiments for which he became most famous - His interest in all sorts of compound led to his discovery of a number of new elements including 

- cerium 

- selenium 

- thorium

Students working in his laboratory also discovered 

- lithium

- vanadium 

and several rare earths.

Using his experimental results, he determined the atomic weights of nearly all the elements they known. Dealing with so many elements in so many compounds motivated his creation of a simple and logical system of symbols - H, O, C, Ca, Cl and so fourth - which is basically the same system we use today.

In order to aid his experiment, he developed a system of chemical notation in which the elements were given simple written labels such as:

- Fe for Iron

- O for Oxygen

the proportions is noted by number, as seen above. He proposed that compounds be described by chemical formulas based on their elemental composition, published in 1813.

The relative number on the periodic table determines the volume of different constitutes contained in each compound. It determines the weight, elementary volumes, these figures will enable us to express the numeric results, as well as it is easy to remember. 

In 1808 Berzelius was a member of the Swedish Academy of Sciences. He died in Stockholm on August 7, 1848.

2) What is the concept behind the naming?

There are over 19 million known chemical substances. 

The chemical symbol and the number of atoms of each element found in each discrete molecule of that compound identifies each constituent element. 

If molecules contain more than one atom, it's being indicated using a subscript after the chemical symbol -

For example the white stuff we know as sugar is sucrose, a molecule composed of 12 atoms of carbon, 22 atoms of hydrogen, and 11 atoms of oxygen C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ 

Chemical formulas may be used in Chemical equations to describe chemical reactions. 

3) Does ate represent 3 oxygen atoms?

No, the word "ate" does not mean 3 oxygen atoms. The word "ate" is used in Sulfate and Carbonate and it is to represent salts of acid for example -

- sodium bicarbonate

- sodium bisulfate 

Though the word "ate" does not mean 3 oxygen atoms, it contains oxygen. Just that -ite contain one less oxygen than -ate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_salt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_formula

http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar.html

http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/chemistry-in-history/themes/electrochemistry/berzelius.aspx

http://www.elementsdatabase.com/

http://www.mii.org/Minerals/photoiron.html

http://jshep.edublogs.org/2009/10/03/vanadium-23/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/lithium-shortage-electric-cars-batteries.php

http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/chemistry-in-history/themes/electrochemistry/berzelius.aspx

http://www.nndb.com/people/051/000094766/

http://schoolworkhelper.net/2011/06/oxygen-elements-uses-properties/

http://crescentok.com/staff/jaskew/ISR/chemistry/class8.htm

//www.chinaenvironmentallaw.com/2008/04/12/new-chemical-substance-regulations/