The Stories Behind Element Names

Elements are named after places (Americium, Francium, Germanium), mythology (Titanium, Thorium, Niobium), properties (Chlorine from green, Argon from lazy), scientists, and celestial bodies (Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium). The IAU now approves all names. Naming disputes between Cold War rivals led to decades of arguments before the current system was established..

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