Symbol | Ag |
Atomic number | 47 |
Group | 11 (Coinage metals) |
Period | 5 |
Block | d |
Classification | Transition Metal |
Appearance | Lustrous white metal |
Color | Silver |
Number of protons | 47 p+ |
Number of neutrons | 61 n0 |
Number of electrons | 47 e- |
Phase at STP | Solid |
Density | 10.49 g/cm3 |
Atomic weight | 107.868 u |
Melting point | 1234.93 K 961.78 °C 1763.204 °F |
Boiling point | 2435 K 2161.85 °C 3923.33 °F |
Heat of vaporization | 250.63 kJ/mol |
Electronegativity (Pauling Scale) | 1.93 |
Electron affinity | 125.862 kJ/mol |
Oxidation states | −2, −1, +1, +2, +3 (an amphoteric oxide) |
Ionization energies |
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Discovery | Asia Minor (5000 BC) |
Discovery of silver Silver was one of the seven metals of antiquity that were known to prehistoric humans and whose discovery is thus lost to history. But probably silver was discovered in Asia Minor shortly after copper and gold. In particular, the three metals of group 11, copper, silver, and gold, occur in the elemental form in nature and were probably used as the first primitive forms of money as opposed to simple bartering. However, unlike copper, silver did not lead to the growth of metallurgy on account of its low structural strength, and was more often used ornamentally or as money. |