The Chemical Element: Silver

Silver (Ag) is a soft and malleable metal that has been known to ancient civilizations for its value and versatility. It is often obtained as a by-product of refining other metals like copper and gold, with primary mining areas in Mexico, Bolivia, Honduras, Canada, and the USA. Worldwide production amounts to around 9950 tons per year.

The element gets its name from the Anglo-Saxon word 'seolfor,' meaning silver. Silver is found in ores called argentite (AgS), light ruby silver (Ag3AsS3), dark ruby silver (Ag3SbS3), and brittle silver. It is also known to occur naturally in the human body, with a typical concentration of 2 milligrams per kilogram.

Silver has several physical and chemical properties that make it useful for various applications. It has high electrical conductivity, with a value of 0.63 x 10^-6/cm Ω. It is also highly malleable and can be easily shaped and molded. Silver has a valence electron potential of -11.4 eV and an electronegativity of 1.93 (Pauling) or 1.42 (Allrod Rochow).

Silver is incompatible with certain substances, including acetylene, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, bromoazide, chlorine trifluoride, ethyleneimine, oxalic acid, and tartaric acid. It has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of 19.2 x 10^-6/K-1 and an enthalpy of vaporization of 255.1 kJ/mole.

The element has several chemical properties that are important in its applications. It has four valence electrons, which make it useful for forming bonds with other elements. Silver is also highly reactive, especially when exposed to air or moisture.

In addition to its physical and chemical properties, silver has several uses in various industries. It is used in electronics, jewelry, medicine, and as a catalyst in chemical reactions. Silver is also used in water purification systems, where it helps to remove impurities from the water.

Overall, silver is an important metal with many valuable properties and applications. Its versatility and reactivity make it a popular choice for a wide range of industries and uses.

Ag chemical element