long with new names, the scientists must propose two-letter symbols for the elements. When IUPAC has received the researchers’ suggestions, they will be put up for public review for five months. That allows scientists and others to raise any objections. In 1996, the symbol Cp was proposed for copernicium, or element 112, but it was swapped to Cn when scientists complained that Cp referred to another substance.
What happens once IUPAC receives a suggested symbol for an element?
It allows the outside world to give feedback on the suggestion It internally reviews and comments on issues with the proposed symbol It verifies that it is not already the name of another substance It sends an official acknowledgment letter