Silver
💍 In Your World
Silver is a lustrous precious metal that has been used for millennia in jewelry, coins, and fine silverware. It is the best electrical conductor of all the elements, making it valuable in high-end electronics and circuits. Silver compounds were also the foundation of traditional film photography, and its natural antimicrobial properties make it useful in medicine and water purification.
📖 The Discovery Story
Silver has been known since ancient times and is one of the seven metals of antiquity. It was discovered and used by civilizations across the globe, so no single person is credited with its discovery. The symbol Ag comes from its Latin name, argentum, which itself is derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "white" or "shining."
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 961.78 °C / 1763.2 °F |
| Boiling Point | 2162 °C / 3924 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Kr] 4d¹⁰5s¹ |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.0000075% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Pure silver metal is non-toxic to humans and is safe to handle. However, chronic exposure to silver compounds can lead to a condition called argyria, which causes a permanent, bluish-gray discoloration of the skin, eyes, and internal organs.