Silver: Properties, Uses and History

• Ag is the chemical symbol for Silver.
• Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag and atomic number 47.
• A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal.
• Silver is more ductile and malleable than gold.
• It is found in the Earth's crust as a pure, free element ("native silver"), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite.
• Most silver is produced as a byproduct of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining.
• Silver has long been valued as a precious metal.
• It is used in many ways beyond currency such as in solar panels, water filtration, jewelry and ornaments, high-value tableware and utensils (hence the term silverware), in electrical contacts and conductors, specialized mirrors, window coatings, in catalysis, and also used for its antimicrobial properties.

History

• Silver has been known since ancient times.
• It is mentioned in the Book of Genesis.
• Silver mines were important in many early cultures.
• Silver was used as currency in ancient Greece.
• Silver was an important trade good in the Roman Empire.
• Spain's colonization of the Americas led to a massive influx of silver into Europe.

Occurrence and Production

• Silver occurs in native form and in various ores.
• The main silver ores are argentite (Ag2S) and horn silver (AgCl).
• Silver is often found in association with other metals, such as gold, copper, and lead.
• Most silver is produced as a byproduct of mining these metals.
• Major silver-producing countries include Mexico, Peru, China, and Australia.
• Silver is extracted from ores through various methods, including smelting, leaching, and electrolysis.

Physical Properties

• Silver has a bright, white metallic luster.
• It is relatively soft and malleable.
• Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals.
• It is resistant to corrosion in air and water, but tarnishes when exposed to sulfur or ozone.
• Silver has a melting point of 961.78 °C (1763.2 °F).
• Its boiling point is 2162 °C (3924 °F).
• The density of silver is 10.49 g/cm3.

Chemical Properties

• Silver is a relatively unreactive metal.
• It does not react with oxygen or water under normal conditions.
• Silver reacts with sulfur to form silver sulfide (Ag2S), which is the black tarnish that forms on silver objects.
• Silver dissolves in nitric acid and hot concentrated sulfuric acid.
• It forms a variety of compounds, including silver halides (AgCl, AgBr, AgI) and silver nitrate (AgNO3).
• Silver has an oxidation state of +1 in most of its compounds.

Isotopes

• Silver has two stable isotopes: 107Ag and 109Ag.
• 107Ag is slightly more abundant than 109Ag.
• Several radioactive isotopes of silver are known.

Compounds

• Silver forms a variety of compounds with other elements.
• Silver halides (AgCl, AgBr, AgI) are light-sensitive and used in photography.
• Silver nitrate (AgNO3) is a versatile compound used in medicine, photography, and chemical analysis.
• Silver oxide (Ag2O) is a brown or black powder used as a catalyst.
• Silver sulfide (Ag2S) is the black tarnish that forms on silver objects.

Uses

• Silver is used in a wide variety of applications.
• It is used in jewelry, silverware, and decorative objects.
• Silver is used in electrical contacts and conductors due to its high conductivity.
• It is used in mirrors and other reflective surfaces due to its high reflectivity.
• Silver is used in photography due to the light sensitivity of silver halides.
• It is used in medicine as an antiseptic and antimicrobial agent.
• Silver is used in dentistry in dental amalgams.
• It is used in batteries.
• Silver is used in solar panels

Biological Role

• Silver has no known biological role.
• However, it has antimicrobial properties and is used in some medical applications.
• Exposure to high levels of silver can cause argyria, a condition in which the skin turns bluish-gray.

Precautions

• Silver compounds can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.
• Some people are allergic to silver.
• Silver can stain skin and clothing.
• Silver nitrate is corrosive and can cause burns.

Silver is a lustrous transition metal with high electrical and thermal conductivity. It is found in the Earth's crust and is often produced as a byproduct of refining other metals. Silver has been valued for centuries and is used in jewelry, tableware, solar panels, and more.