SILVER FACTS
- Chemical Symbol: AG
- Atomic Number: 47
- Atomic Weight: 107.8682
- Melting Point: 1234.93 K (961.78°C or 1763.20°F)
- Boiling Point: 2435 K (2162°C or 3924°F)
- Density: 10.501 grams per cubic centimeter
- Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
- Element Classification: Metal
Silver is known to be one of the first metals known to man and word silver comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “seolfor.” Archaeological evidence suggests that people first discovered and used silver at least 5000 years ago. Silver coins were used as early as seven hundred BC and the Phoenicians used silver bottles to prevent food from spoiling. During ancient Egypt and the medieval period in Europe, silver was considered more valuable than gold.
Silver is in demand for its strength, malleability, electrical and thermal conductivity, and ability to endure extreme temperature ranges. In addition, its sensitivity to and high reflectance of light give it exceptional properties. It is estimated that more than 1,740,000 metric tons of silver have been discovered to date.
Silver is a key material with many uses in our modern world besides its well-known use in ornamental jewelry. The vast majority of silver, over 430 million ounces produced annually, is used for industrial purposes. Jewelry is the second highest use of silver, with over 166 million ounces used annually.
Uses of industrial silver include:
- batteries
- bearings
- electronics
- electroplating
- photography
- medical applications
- mirrors and coatings
- solar energy
- to kill bacteria
- water purification.
Other interesting silver facts:
- Pure silver is the best conductor of heat and electricity of all known metals, it is used in making solder, electrical contacts and printed circuit boards.
- Silver has also been used for thousands of years to create coins.
- High capacity batteries are made with silver and zinc and silver and cadmium.
- Objects labeled “sterling silver” contain 92.5% silver.
- Silver nitrate (AgNO3) is light sensitive and is used to make photographic films and papers.
- Silver iodide (AgI) is used to seed clouds to produce rain.
- Silver is used for water purification, because it prevents bacteria growth.
- Silver is also used as an explosive. It is called Silver Fulminate.
- Silver is the only element with the highest optical reflectivity of any metal.
- Silver can protect you from werewolves and vampires, according to legend.
- It is illegal to use silver as a food decorative in Australia.
- Silver iodide is used to make clouds produce rain.
- Silver is used to represent the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
- Indian food can be found decorated with a thin layer of silver, known as Varak.
- An ounce of silver can produce eight thousand feet of thin wires.
Silver, like copper, molybdenum, and other metals, is traded on commodity exchanges worldwided
