Silver

Silver
Silver block | Image: Learnool

Silver (Ag) is a chemical element of the periodic table, located in the group 11 and the period 5, and is having the atomic number 47. It is a soft, ductile, malleable, lustrous white transition metal, whose name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “seolfor”.

On periodic table

group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
period
1 1
H
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Hydrogen
2
He
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Helium
2 3
Li
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Lithium
4
Be
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Beryllium
5
B
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Boron
6
C
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Carbon
7
N
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Nitrogen
8
O
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Oxygen
9
F
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Fluorine
10
Ne
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Neon
3 11
Na
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Sodium
12
Mg
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Magnesium
13
Al
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Aluminium
14
Si
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Silicon
15
P
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Phosphorus
16
S
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Sulfur
17
Cl
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Chlorine
18
Ar
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Argon
4 19
K
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Potassium
20
Ca
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Calcium
21
Sc
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Scandium
22
Ti
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Titanium
23
V
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Vanadium
24
Cr
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Chromium
25
Mn
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Manganese
26
Fe
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Iron
27
Co
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Cobalt
28
Ni
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Nickel
29
Cu
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Copper
30
Zn
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Zinc
31
Ga
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Gallium
32
Ge
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Germanium
33
As
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Arsenic
34
Se
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Selenium
35
Br
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Bromine
36
Kr
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Krypton
5 37
Rb
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Rubidium
38
Sr
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Strontium
39
Y
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Yttrium
40
Zr
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Zirconium
41
Nb
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Niobium
42
Mo
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Molybdenum
43
Tc
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Technetium
44
Ru
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Ruthenium
45
Rh
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Rhodium
46
Pd
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Palladium
47
Ag
Silver
48
Cd
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Cadmium
49
In
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Indium
50
Sn
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Tin
51
Sb
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Antimony
52
Te
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Tellurium
53
I
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Iodine
54
Xe
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Xenon
6 55
Cs
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Caesium
56
Ba
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Barium
72
Hf
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Hafnium
73
Ta
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Tantalum
74
W
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Tungsten
75
Re
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Rhenium
76
Os
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Osmium
77
Ir
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Iridium
78
Pt
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Platinum
79
Au
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Gold
80
Hg
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Mercury
81
Tl
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Thallium
82
Pb
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Lead
83
Bi
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Bismuth
84
Po
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Polonium
85
At
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Astatine
86
Rn
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Radon
7 87
Fr
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Francium
88
Ra
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Radium
104
Rf
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Rutherfordium
105
Db
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Dubnium
106
Sg
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Seaborgium
107
Bh
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Bohrium
108
Hs
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Hassium
109
Mt
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Meitnerium
110
Ds
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Darmstadtium
111
Rg
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Roentgenium
112
Cn
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Copernicium
113
Nh
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Nihonium
114
Fl
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Flerovium
115
Mc
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Moscovium
116
Lv
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Livermorium
117
Ts
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Tennessine
118
Og
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Oganesson
57
La
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Lanthanum
58
Ce
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Cerium
59
Pr
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Praseodymium
60
Nd
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Neodymium
61
Pm
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Promethium
62
Sm
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Samarium
63
Eu
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Europium
64
Gd
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Gadolinium
65
Tb
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Terbium
66
Dy
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Dysprosium
67
Ho
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Holmium
68
Er
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Erbium
69
Tm
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Thulium
70
Yb
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Ytterbium
71
Lu
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Lutetium
89
Ac
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Actinium
90
Th
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Thorium
91
Pa
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Protactinium
92
U
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Uranium
93
Np
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Neptunium
94
Pu
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Plutonium
95
Am
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Americium
96
Cm
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Curium
97
Bk
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Berkelium
98
Cf
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Californium
99
Es
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Einsteinium
100
Fm
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Fermium
101
Md
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Mendelevium
102
No
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Nobelium
103
Lr
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Lawrencium
– d block

Silver is a d-block element, situated in the eleventh column and the fifth row of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 47 and its symbol is Ag.

Element information

Silver Element
Silver appearance | Image: Wikipedia
Silver Periodic Table
Silver location on periodic table | Image: Learnool
Silver is found in the eleventh column of the periodic table, next to the palladium element.
Origin of name name comes from Anglo-Saxon word “seolfor”
Symbol Ag
Atomic number (Z) 47
Atomic mass 107.8682 u
Block d-block
Group 11
Period 5
Classification Transition metal
Atomic radius 144 pm
Covalent radius 145±5 pm
Van der Waals radius 172 pm
Melting point 961.78 ℃, 1763.2 ℉, 1234.93 K
Boiling point 2162 ℃, 3924 ℉, 2435 K
Electron configuration [Kr] 4d10 5s1
Learn how to write: Silver electron configuration
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 18, 1
Learn how to draw: Silver Bohr model
Crystal structure Face-centered cubic (fcc)
Phase at r.t Solid
Density near r.t 10.49 g/cm3
Main isotopes Silver-107, Silver-109
Natural occurrence Primordial
Oxidation state +1
Electronegativity (Pauling scale) 1.93
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
47
61
47
Learn how to find: Silver protons neutrons electrons
CAS number 7440-22-4
Discovered before 5000 BC

History

The history of silver dates back to ancient times, with evidence of its use dating back to around 3000 BC in what is now modern-day Turkey. It is believed that silver was first discovered and extracted from lead ore by the Sumerians around 4000 BC. Throughout history, silver has been highly valued for its beauty and rarity, as well as for its practical applications.

In ancient times, silver was used as a form of currency and was highly valued for its rarity and beauty. The Greeks and Romans both used silver coins for trade, and the metal was also used to make jewelry and decorative objects. During the Middle Ages, silver continued to be used as currency, and it was also used to make religious objects, such as chalices and crosses.

In the 16th century, silver was discovered in the Americas, and vast amounts of the metal were mined and shipped to Europe. This influx of silver had a major impact on the global economy, leading to inflation and the growth of international trade. The demand for silver continued to grow, and it became an important metal for use in industry, medicine, and photography.

Today, silver is still highly valued for its beauty and rarity, and it continues to be used for a wide range of applications, including jewelry, silverware, electrical and electronic equipment, mirrors, and solar panels. The history of silver is rich and varied, and the metal continues to play an important role in the world economy and in our daily lives.

Occurrence and production

Silver is a rare, naturally occurring element that is found in the earth’s crust. The primary sources of silver are silver ores, such as argentite (Ag2S), which is the most important silver ore, and silver sulfide (Ag2S2O3), which is also known as the mineral acanthite. Other important sources of silver include galena (PbS), pyrargyrite (Ag3SbS3), and proustite (Ag3AsS3).

The production of silver involves several methods, including mining, refining, and recycling. The mining process involves extracting the silver ore from the ground, crushing it, and then separating the silver from other minerals. The refining process involves heating the silver ore to a high temperature, which melts the metal and separates impurities from the pure silver. The resulting silver is then cast into bars, ingots, or coins. Silver can also be produced through recycling, which involves melting down scrap silver and refining it to produce pure silver.

Silver is also produced as a byproduct of mining other metals, such as copper, lead, and zinc. In fact, approximately two-thirds of the world’s silver production comes from these types of mines. The refining of these metals results in the production of silver, which is separated from the other metals through a series of chemical and electrolytic processes.

Properties

Silver is a soft, ductile and malleable metal with a shiny white color that is highly reflective.

It has the highest electrical conductivity of all elements and is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion.

Silver has a melting point of 961.78 ℃ and a boiling point of 2162 ℃.

It is a good thermal conductor and has a density of 10.49 g/cm3.

Silver is a noble metal and is highly resistant to acids and alkalis.

It has a strong affinity for sulfur, which gives it its characteristic tarnish.

Silver is a rare element, accounting for only 0.079 parts per million of the Earth’s crust.

Isotopes of silver have a range of uses in industry, medicine, and scientific research.

Silver has a very high reflectivity for both visible and infrared light, making it useful in optical applications such as mirrors, lenses, and solar panels.

Silver is used in the production of jewelry, coins, and silverware due to its beauty, durability, and tarnish resistance.

Silver is a key component in the manufacture of photographic films and papers due to its sensitivity to light.

It is used as a catalyst in a range of chemical reactions, including the production of formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, and hydrogen cyanide.

Applications

Medicine

Silver has been used in medicine for centuries due to its antimicrobial properties. It is used in wound dressings, catheters, and other medical devices to help prevent infection.

Water purification

Silver is effective at killing bacteria and other microorganisms, which makes it useful in water purification systems. Silver ions are added to water filters to help kill harmful bacteria and keep the water safe to drink.

Electronics

Silver is an excellent conductor of electricity, which makes it useful in the electronics industry. It is used in printed circuits, touch screens, and other electronic components.

Photography

Silver has been used in photography since the 19th century. It is used in the development of photographic film and paper, and in the production of photographic emulsions.

Jewelry

Silver is a popular metal for making jewelry due to its beauty and affordability. It is also easy to work with, which allows jewelry makers to create intricate designs.

Mirrors

Silver is used to make mirrors because it is highly reflective. A thin layer of silver is applied to the back of a glass pane, which creates a highly reflective surface.

Coins

Silver has been used to make coins for thousands of years. It is still used today in many countries to make commemorative coins and bullion coins.

Solar panels

Silver is used in the production of solar panels. It is used to make the conductive strips that help transport electricity from the solar cells to the rest of the system.

Antiques

Silver has been used to make decorative objects and household items for centuries. Antique silverware, candlesticks, and other decorative objects are highly prized by collectors.

Clothing

Silver has been added to clothing to create antimicrobial textiles that can help prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. This can be useful in medical settings or for people with certain skin conditions.

Interesting facts

The chemical symbol for silver, Ag, comes from the Latin word for silver, “argentum.”

Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of any element, making it useful in a variety of electrical applications.

The largest silver nugget ever found weighed 2750 pounds and was discovered in Mexico in the late 1800s.

Silver has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years due to its antibacterial properties.

Silver tarnishes when exposed to air and sulfur, which led to the invention of the term “silver lining” to describe a hopeful or positive aspect of an otherwise negative situation.

Silver has been used as a form of currency for thousands of years, with the earliest known silver coins dating back to around 600 BCE.

Silver has a unique property where it can absorb up to 22 times its own weight in hydrogen gas, making it useful for storing and transporting hydrogen.

Silver is a relatively rare element, making up only 0.08 parts per million of the Earth’s crust.

Related

More elements

s block
p block
d block
f block
Barium Aluminium Bohrium Actinium
Beryllium Antimony Cadmium Americium
Caesium Argon Chromium Berkelium
Calcium Arsenic Cobalt Californium
Francium Astatine Copernicium Cerium
Helium Bismuth Copper Curium
Hydrogen Boron Darmstadtium Dysprosium
Lithium Bromine Dubnium Einsteinium
Magnesium Carbon Gold Erbium
Potassium Chlorine Hafnium Europium
Radium Flerovium Hassium Fermium
Rubidium Fluorine Iridium Gadolinium
Sodium Gallium Iron Holmium
Strontium Germanium Lawrencium Lanthanum
Indium Lutetium Mendelevium
Iodine Manganese Neodymium
Krypton Meitnerium Neptunium
Lead Mercury Nobelium
Livermorium Molybdenum Plutonium
Moscovium Nickel Praseodymium
Neon Niobium Promethium
Nihonium Osmium Protactinium
Nitrogen Palladium Samarium
Oganesson Platinum Terbium
Oxygen Rhenium Thorium
Phosphorus Rhodium Thulium
Polonium Roentgenium Uranium
Radon Ruthenium Ytterbium
Selenium Rutherfordium
Silicon Scandium
Sulfur Seaborgium
Tellurium Silver
Tennessine Tantalum
Thallium Technetium
Tin Titanium
Xenon Tungsten
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium

External links

Deep

Learnool.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.

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