Chemical Elements
What element has the symbol 'Og'?
Answer
Oganesson
Explanation
Og is the symbol for Oganesson, element 118, the heaviest confirmed element. It’s named after nuclear physicist Yuri Oganessian, honoring his work in discovering superheavy elements. Unlike Gold (Au) and Osmium (Os), whose symbols don’t match “Og,” and the nonexistent “Oganium,” Oganesson uniquely fits Og.
Oganesson sits at the end of the noble gases, but due to extreme relativistic effects, it may not behave like a typical noble gas—some predictions even suggest it could be more reactive or solid at room temperature. Memory tip: Og = Oganesson = “Oganessian’s element,” the “OG” at the far end of the periodic table.