Question

Why isn't the symbol for silver S

Answer 1

Respuesta:

Because the name comes from the latin word for silver argentums but shortened of course.

Answer 2

Potassium has the symbol K, from the Latin word kalium. Silver is Ag, from Latin's argentum. The practice of giving such symbols to elements was begun by Berzelius in the 1800's, when Latin was the language of science. Other elements also have symbols that do not seem to agree with their modern names (Na for sodium, Au for gold).

In addition, the letters S and P are already used for Sulfur and Phosphorus, so they could not be used for silver and potassium.