Silver is a lustrous versatile transition metal used from Neolithic times to create ornaments. It's known for antibacterial powers, and its reflective light in space. In electronics silver has the best conductivity of all metals.
About Silver
With formula Ag (Latin argentum), silver is a soft, white, transition metal with an atomic number of 47. It's partly defined by its electron configuration.
This enables it to conduct electricity and heat better than any other element. The exceptional conductivity is due to the ease with which electrons move through its crystalline structure.
Melting point of silver is 961.8°C or 1763°F. Its boiling point is 2212°C (4014°F). Tarnish on pure silver is the compound silver sulfide.
It forms when silver reacts with sulfur-containing gases in the air. The most common sulfur-containing gas is hydrogen sulfide (H2S), also emitted by hard-boiled eggs.
Tarnish color on silver alters as time goes by due to thin film interference. As light hits the thin film of tarnish on the silver, it splits; some reflects off the top surface, and some off the silver beneath, with different color plays.
In pure form, silver is both malleable and ductile. Like gold it can be shaped or stretched without breaking. It's made into various forms from intricate jewelry to industrial components.
Geologically silver forms through volcanic activity and hydrothermal processes. Hot, aqueous solutions dissolve silver compounds and redeposit them in veins and fractures in rocks.
In nature, silver can occur as native silver, existing in its pure, uncombined state. More often it's found in ores of other metals like gold, copper, lead, and zinc. Gold and silver form electrum to make the first ancient coins.
Ores like argentite (Ag2S) and horn silver (AgCl), are mined to extract the silver. Most silver is found on Earth, though it's overall scarce with average concentration of 0.08 parts per million in the Earth's crust.
It's also formed through cosmic events like supernova explosions, which produce heavy elements. Though silver is a heavy metal it's considered nontoxic in general. Trace amounts in meteorites are detected in space by spectroscopic analysis.
History of Silver
Archaeological evidence finds humans using silver by 5000 BCE in regions like Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). Prized for aesthetic appeal, it's made into jewelry, ornaments, and spiritual artifacts.
By 3000 BCE, mining and smelting of silver begins. Societies prosper through trade.
In 550 BCE King Croesus mints the world's first coins with natural electrum (AuAg). Silver coins emerge as a standard currency, greatly influencing global economic systems.
During the 16th century, Spanish colonization of the Americas leads to massive increase in silver extraction from legendary mines like Cerro Rico in Potosí, Bolivia.
Cerro Rico is famous for providing over 45,000 tons of silver for the Spanish Empire, most of which is shipped to metropolitan Spain. 85% percent of silver produced in the central Andes during this time is from Cerro Rico.
Early silver mining and processing methods include hand-picking surface deposits and refining them with basic furnaces. Over time, techniques like hydraulic mining, amalgamation processes and cyanide leaching develop.
Today, silver is actively traded on global commodity markets. Price fluctuates based on supply and demand, geopolitical events, and investor sentiment.
It's often considered a safe investment during economic downturns. Over 1.5 billion oz of silver are traded annually. World's leading silver producers are Mexico, Peru, China, Chile, Australia, Bolivia, Poland and Russia.
Silver Alloys
In pure form silver, in its pure form is often too soft for many applications. It alloys well with other metals to increase its hardness, durability, and resistance to tarnish.
Sterling Silver: Contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, providing a balance of beauty and strength commonly used for jewelry, silverware, and decorative objects.
Coin Silver: Historically used for coinage, this alloy contains 90% silver and 10% copper.
Silver Solder: Used for joining metal components, silver solder is alloyed with metals like copper, zinc, and tin to create a low-melting-point material.
Argentium silver is recognized for tarnish-resistant qualities due to inclusion of germanium.
Silver’s conductivity is superior in electrical applications. It efficiently transfers electrical current and is preferred for contacts, conductors, and circuit boards.
Its conductivity surpasses that of copper by about 63%. It's often used in high-performance contexts. Silver improves the energy conversion abilities of solar panels, where it's applied as a paste over and under silicon cells.
Silver is used in contacts, switches, printed circuit boards, and conductive inks. Silver-oxide batteries are known for high energy density and long life in watches, calculators and hearing aids.
Silver oxide batteries have a more stable voltage output than alkaline batteries do. In medicine, silver is long known for antimicrobial properties.
Silver Nitrate or Lunar Caustic: topical antiseptic and disinfectant.
Silver Sulfadiazine: topical treatment for burns, preventing infection.
Nanoparticles: Silver nanoparticles are incorporated into wound dressings, catheters, and other medical devices to inhibit bacterial growth.
In folklore, silver and copper coins tossed in a well or water source delight the faerie spirit who inhabits the well. The result is clean fresh water, in fact caused by the antimicrobial properties of the metals. The spirit might also grant a wish.
In space exploration, silver appears in many applications including mirrors. It's part of the reflective coatings of telescopes and solar concentrators.
Its conductive abilities are incorporated into spacecraft design and satellite technology. Silver-zinc batteries are also used in spacecraft due to a high energy-to-weight ratio.
In robotics, silver works in sensors and actuators needing precise conductivity. Silver is used in some cloud seeding experiments to promote rainfall.
Facts About Silver
Silver is non-toxic in its elemental form.
Silver is a demi-god in Mesopotamian mythology
Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of all metals, making it an exceptional choice for heat sinks in various applications.
Silverpoint is an influential art form in the Renaissance
In ancient cultures, silver is linked to the moon and its protective influence, and to water.
Mercury (Hg) is originally known as hydrargyrum from the Greek words hydor 'water' and argyros 'silver'.
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