Silver

Silver, Ag, is a silvery transition metal element, found in Group Ib of the periodic table.

Atomic Number : 47
Relative Atomic Mass : 107.868

Discovery

Silver was known from ancient times, and it was probably used as money as early as gold.

Occurrence

Silver is found in large masses and the principal ores are

Argentite, AgS2, and
Kerargyrite, AgCl.

It is also present as a minor constituent in the ores of lead and copper.

Extraction

Silver is prepared by a number of different processes :

cyanide process,
desilverisation of lead, and
electrolysis processes.

Preparation

Manufacture

Properties

Silver is

a white lustrous metal which has a characteristic colouration,
highly malleable and ductile (extremely thin sheets have been made),
an excellent conductor of heat and electricity,
not oxidised in air,
attacked by nitric acid with the formation of silver nitrate,

Reactions

Uses

Silver is widely used

for coinage,
for the manufacture of tableware and ornaments,
is used in photography,
in medicine,
in marking inks and
in silver mirrors.

Detection and Analysis

Silver is detected by the formation of a precipitate of silver chloride on the addition of a solution of sodium chloride to a solution of a silver salt.

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