Chemistry - Silver

Introduction

• Silver is a soft, lustrous transition, and white metal.

• Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity; and, it has also the highest reflectivity of any metal.

• The symbol of silver is ‘Ag’ and atomic number is ’47.’

Salient Features of Silver

• Silver is a precious metal used since long time by human beings.

• Silver is an element of group 11 of the periodic table.

• Silver has an excellent white metallic luster commonly used in a high polish.

• As silver has no color; therefore, it has high reflectivity (of light).

• Silver has very high electrical and thermal conductivity. Its electric conductivity is the highest – higher than copper.

• Among all the metals, silver also has the lowest contact resistance.

Occurrence of Silver

• The metal silver is usually found in the Earth's crust in the pure form.

• Silver also found as an alloy with the gold and some other metals.

• Silver is also found in some minerals, such as argentite and chlorargyrite.

• Silver is largely produced as a byproduct of gold, copper, zinc, lead, etc.

Alloys of Silver

• Following are the major alloys of silver −

  • Argentium sterling silver

  • Britannia silver

  • Doré bullion

  • Electrum

  • Goloid

  • Platinum sterling

  • Sterling silver

  • Tibetan silver

Compounds of Silver

• Following are the major compound of silver −

  • Silver chloride - AgCl

  • Silver iodide - Agl

  • Silver bromide - AgBr

  • Silver oxide - Ag₂O

  • Silver sulfide - Ag₂S

  • Silver fluoride - AgF

  • Silver cyanide - AgCN

  • Silver carbonate - Ag₂CO₃

  • Silver acetate - AgC₂H₃O₂

  • Silver sulfate - Ag₂SO₄

  • Silver chromate - Ag₂CrO₄

  • Silver oxalate - Ag₂C₂O₄

  • Silver chlorate - AgClO₃

Uses of Silver

• Following are the major uses of silver −

  • From the ancient period, silver is being used in making coins.

  • Silver is also used in making ornaments.

  • Many of the home pots and other utensils were also used to be made by silver.

  • Silver has also medicinal use, as it is used as an antibiotic coating in medical devices.

  • Because of having very high electric conductivity, silver is commonly used in some electronic devices.

  • Besides, silver has many other uses, such as in photography, in chemical equipment, nanoparticles, etc.