Along with new names, the scientists must suggest two-letter symbols for the elements. When IUPAC has received the researchers’ suggestions, they will go to public review for five months. That allows scientists and others to raise any objections. In 1996, the symbol Cp was suggested for copernicium, or element 112, but it was changed to Cn when scientists complained that Cp referred to another substance.
Why is the public involved in the element symbol-naming process?
To see if there are issues with or opposition to a proposed symbol To source suggestions for symbol names To avoid complaints about overinvolvement of scientists To get the public more excited about scientific discovery