What Is Silver?

Where is silver on the periodic table?

Silver has atomic number 47, the symbol Ag (from the Latin argentum), and sits in group 11 of the periodic table, just below copper and above gold. Two stable isotopes occur naturally, Ag-107 and Ag-109, each making up about half of natural silver. The atomic mass is about 107.87. Silver has been known since antiquity, with the oldest silver objects dating to around 3000 BCE in the Mediterranean region. The Latin name argentum gave rise to chemical names like silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and the country Argentina, named for the silver mountains.

What are the properties of silver?

Silver is the best electrical and thermal conductor of any element, slightly better than copper. It's a soft, malleable, ductile metal with a brilliant white luster, the most reflective metal in the visible spectrum. Silver melts at 962°C and has a density of 10.49 g/cm³. It's relatively unreactive but slowly tarnishes when exposed to sulfur compounds in air, forming dark silver sulfide. Silver is harder than gold but softer than copper. The metal can be hammered into sheets just a few atoms thick or drawn into wires hundreds of meters long from a single gram.

What is silver used for?

Industrial uses dominate modern silver consumption. Electronics use silver in switches, connectors, conductive pastes, and electroplating because of its superior conductivity. Solar panels increasingly use silver paste to collect electricity. Photography used silver halide crystals on film and paper for over a century, though digital cameras have reduced this market. Silver brazing alloys join metals in plumbing, jewelry, and HVAC systems. Antibacterial silver compounds are used in wound dressings, water purification, and some clothing. Sterling silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper) is the standard for jewelry.

Why does silver tarnish?

Silver tarnishes by reacting with sulfur compounds in the air, especially hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which is produced by industrial pollution, decomposing organic matter, and even some foods like eggs and onions. The reaction forms silver sulfide (Ag₂S), a dark brown or black compound that builds up on the surface as a tarnish layer. Unlike rust on iron, tarnish doesn't damage the underlying metal and can be polished off. Storing silver in airtight containers with anti-tarnish strips dramatically slows the process, which is why silver flatware often comes wrapped in specially treated cloth.