Periodic Table of Elements

Element Silver - Ag

Comprehensive data on the chemical element Silver is provided on this page; including scores of properties, element names in many languages, most known nuclides of Silver. Common chemical compounds are also provided for many elements. In addition technical terms are linked to their definitions and the menu contains links to related articles that are a great aid in one's studies.

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Overview of Silver

Silver's Name in Other Languages

  • Latin: Argentum
  • Czech: Stříbro
  • Croatian: Srebro
  • French: Argent
  • German: Silber - s
  • Italian: Argento
  • Norwegian: Sølv
  • Portuguese: Prata
  • Russian: Серебро
  • Spanish: Plata
  • Swedish: Silver

Atomic Structure of Silver

Chemical Properties of Silver

Physical Properties of Silver

  • Atomic Mass Average: 107.8682
  • Boiling Point: 2436K 2163°C 3925°F
  • Coefficient of lineal thermal expansion/K-1: 19.2E-6
  • Conductivity
    Electrical: 0.63 106/cm Ω
    Thermal: 4.29 W/cmK
  • Density: 10.5g/cc @ 300K
  • Description:
    Very soft and malleable silver metal. Appearance and odor vary depending upon specific compound.
  • Elastic Modulus:
    • Bulk: 103.6/GPa
    • Rigidity: 30.3/GPa
    • Youngs: 82.7/GPa
  • Enthalpy of Atomization: 284.5 kJ/mole @ 25°C
  • Enthalpy of Fusion: 11.3 kJ/mole
  • Enthalpy of Vaporization: 255.1 kJ/mole
  • Flammablity Class: Non-combustible solid (except as dust)
  • Freezing Point: see melting point
  • Hardness Scale
    • Brinell: 24.5 MN m-2
    • Mohs: 2.5
    • Vickers: 251 MN m-2
  • Heat of Vaporization: 250.58kJ/mol
  • Melting Point: 1234K 961°C 1762°F
  • Molar Volume: 10.27 cm3/mole
  • Optical Reflectivity: 97%
  • Physical State (at 20°C & 1atm): Solid
  • Specific Heat: 0.235J/gK
  • Vapor Pressure = 0.342Pa@961°C

Regulatory / Health

  • CAS Number
    • 7440-22-4
  • RTECS: VW3500000
  • NFPA 704
    • Health: 1
    • Fire: 2
    • Reactivity:
    • Special Hazard:
  • OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
    • TWA: 0.01 mg/m3
  • OSHA PEL Vacated 1989
    • TWA: 0.01 mg/m3
  • NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
  • Routes of Exposure: Inhalation; Ingestion; Skin and/or eye contact
  • Target Organs: Nasal septum, skin, eyes
  • Levels In Humans:
    Note: this data represents naturally occuring levels of elements in the typical human, it DOES NOT represent recommended daily allowances.
    • Blood/mg dm-3: <0.003
    • Bone/p.p.m: 0.01-0.44
    • Liver/p.p.m: 0.005-0.25
    • Muscle/p.p.m: 0.009-0.28
    • Daily Dietary Intake: 0.0014-0.08 mg
    • Total Mass In Avg. 70kg human: 2 mg

Who / Where / When / How

  • Discoverer: Known to ancient civilization
  • Discovery Location: Unknown
  • Discovery Year: Unknown
  • Name Origin:
    Latin argentum (silver). Silver from Anglo-Saxon seolfor for silver.
  • Abundance of Silver:
    • Earth's Crust/p.p.m.: 0.07
    • Seawater/p.p.m.:
      • Atlantic Suface: N/A
      • Atlantic Deep: N/A
      • Pacific Surface: 0.0000001
      • Pacific Deep: 0.0000024
    • Atmosphere/p.p.m.: N/A
    • Sun (Relative to H=1E12): 7.1
  • Sources of Silver:
    Found in ores called argentite (AgS), light ruby silver (Ag3 AsS3), dark ruby silver (Ag3SbS3) and brittle silver. Silver is often obtained as a by-product of refining other metals like copper and gold. World wide production is around 9950 tons per year. Primary mining areas are Mexico, Bolivia, Honduras, Canada, USA.
  • Uses of Silver:
    Used in alloys for jewelry, in many compounds, photographic film and paper electronics, mirrors and batteries.
  • Additional Notes:

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References

A list of reference sources used to compile the data provided on our periodic table of elements can be found on the main periodic table page.

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