Anand Classes provides a detailed NCERT Intext 3.1 solution for the question “What would be the IUPAC name and symbol for the element with atomic number 120?”. According to the IUPAC nomenclature system, the roots for digits 1, 2, and 0 are un, bi, and nil respectively. Hence, the element with atomic number 120 is temporarily named Unbinilium (Ubn). This systematic naming is used until the element is officially discovered and assigned a permanent name. Click the print button to download study material and notes.
What would be the IUPAC name and symbol for the element with atomic number 120?
IUPAC Temporary Name & Symbol for Z = 120
- Roots (per NCERT/IUPAC): 1 → un, 2 → bi, 0 → nil
- Assemble digits “1–2–0” → un–bi–nil + suffix –ium → unbinilium
- Temporary symbol: take first letters of the roots with proper capitalization → Ubn
Answer: Unbinilium (Ubn)
1) Why a “systematic” (temporary) name?
Until an element is officially discovered and its name approved, IUPAC assigns a placeholder built directly from the atomic number’s digits. This guarantees a unique, unambiguous name/symbol for textbooks and research.
2) Digit-to-root codes (IUPAC/NCERT)
Each digit (0–9) has a fixed root and a one-letter symbol seed:
- 0 → nil (n)
- 1 → un (u)
- 2 → bi (b)
- 3 → tri (t)
- 4 → quad (q)
- 5 → pent (p)
- 6 → hex (h)
- 7 → sept (s)
- 8 → oct (o)
- 9 → enn (e)
The full name is the concatenation of the roots (in order of the digits) + “-ium”; the symbol is the three letters formed from the first letter of each root, with the first letter capitalized.
3) Small spelling rules (to keep names pronounceable)
- If the last digit is 2 or 3, the ending becomes -bium or -trium (not biium/triium).
- If 9 (enn) is immediately followed by 0 (nil), one “n” is dropped → ennil (not “ennnil”).
Hyphens aren’t used in the final name.
4) Apply the rules to Z = 120
- Digits: 1 – 2 – 0
- Roots: un – bi – nil
- Add suffix: unbinil + ium → unbinilium
- Symbol from first letters: U (Un) + b (Bi) + n (Nil) → Ubn
Result: Unbinilium (Ubn) — this is the systematic temporary name/symbol for element 120.
5) Context note
This systematic name remains in use until the element is synthesized, its discovery confirmed, and a permanent name (usually honoring a place, scientist, or property) is approved by IUPAC. As of now, elements 119 and 120 are still awaiting official discovery/approval, so their systematic names (Ununennium, Uue; Unbinilium, Ubn) are the ones to use in NCERT/CBSE contexts.
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