Silver

Located at Group 11 and Period 5 of the Periodic Table is one of the element known to be used in early civilizations, such as in the Bronze Ages,where this element has already existed. This is Silver.

Its first discoverer has been unknown since it has already existed since a few thousand years ago. No one probably knew who isolated Silver, too. However, the results of the Archaeologists show that Silver - made products has been existing even before than 4000 B.C.

Silver one is Silver, Yellow one is Gold, Brown is Copper

Some sources show that Silver was probably first discovered after Gold and Copper, probably because of its very distinctive colors, which made it easy for early humans to find these precious metals.

Besides, Silver also appears as a free element, meaning that Silver exist as purely one element. This also makes early human to use Silver in products too. Also, even it exist in ores, early humans also somehow found a way to extract Silver from its ores. This prediction was made by Archaeologists when they found Silver objects which might date back to 3400 B.C at Egyptian Pyramids. There are also some drawing of the oldest Pyramids which might also give evidence showing that men working with metals as well as extracting Silver from its ores, too.

Silver Statue

There are also other culture that gives evidence about the existence of Silver before 500 B.C. For instance, there are some written evidence taken by Archaeologists stating that the use of Silver as far as 900 B.C, where Silver was in a common use before the Americans and Europeans arrived.

Silver also exist in Bibles too, where Ezra refers to silver vessels in the house of God that were taken from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon (Ezra 5:14). Silver is also used to decorate Temples, Palaces and other Important buildings.

Also, being categorized as Precious Metal, Silver's ppm ( parts per million ) abundance measurement is about 0.075, currently the third abundant of the Precious Metals, which first one is Gold, then followed by Platinum.

Silver Tarnish

Silver are most commonly used in Jewelries. However, Silver tarnishes when in contact with Oxygen. So, to prevent Silver - made Jewelries from tarnishing, these jewelries are often alloyed with other element to improve its resistance to corrosion as well as its resistance of oxidizing.

Now, Silver is still used, but to be alloyed with other element to make coins, jewelries and also photographic film.

Atomic Number : 47
Name : Silver 
Latin Name : Argentum
Electrons per Shell : [ 2, 8, 18, 18, 1 ]
Discoverer : Unknown ( It has been known since 4000 B.C.! )
Isolator : Unknown ( It has been known since 4000 B.C.! )
Element's : Atomic Mass : 107.87 u
                  : Density : 10.49 g/cm³
                  : Type : Transition Metal

Chemical Properties : 

Silver - 108

• Quite inactive metal
• Reacts with Sulphur, which produces black coating
• Silver powder burns
• 76 isotopes : 3 of them are :
     Silver - 107 : Protons : 47
                         : Neutrons : 60
                         : Electrons : 47
    ( Half Life : Stable )
  
     Silver - 108 : Protons : 47
                         : Neutrons : 61
                         : Electrons : 47
    ( Half Life : 2.37 minutes )
  
     Silver - 109 : Protons : 47
                         : Neutrons : 62
                         : Electrons : 47
    ( Half Life : Stable )

Physical Properties :

• Soft
• White color
• Shiny Surface
• Ductile
• Malleable
• Sonorous
• Good conductor of heat
• Good Conductor of Electricity
• Reflects light
• Melting Point : 961.5 degrees Celsius ( 1762 Fahrenheit )
• Boiling Point : 2200 degrees Celsius (4000 Fahrenheit )

How Silver got its name?

The name ' Silver ' dates back to 12th Century where its name came from old English, which is Soelfor, meaning metal. As for Silver's Latin Name, Argentum, comes from the Greek Word ' Argos ', meaning shiny or white.

Uses

Photographic Film Silver Bromide

In the United States, 10% of Silver is used to make coins, jewelry as well as art work. Some of the Silver are used to be alloyed with Gold, because of Gold's demand on Coins and Jewelry. However, Gold itself can be very soft in its pure form. So, Gold was alloyed with Silver to make Gold stronger and longer lasting. So, the alloy made of Gold and Silver are mainly used in Jewelries, Coins and many modern objects today.

Silver Chinese Coin

Besides, Silver is also used in Photographic Film too. They combine Silver with Halogens such as Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine.

Silver is also used in Electronic Objects, mainly because of its Good Conductor of Electricity. However, because Silver is quite rare, Copper and Aluminium was used instead of Silver.

THIS IS THE END OF SILVER

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