Scientists must find new names for the elements but, also, they must suggest two-letter symbols for the elements. When IUPAC has received the researchers’ suggestions, they will tell the public so that people can comment on the names. That allows scientists and others to find any problems with the names. In 1996, someone suggested the symbol Cp for copernicium, or element 112, but it was changed to Cn, when scientists complained that Cp was already the symbol for another substance.
Why was the suggestion to use symbol Cp for copernicium not accepted?
The symbol was already being used for a different substance The symbol Cn was already assigned to it UIPAC did not receive the suggestion in time The symbol Co was already assigned to it