Silver is a chemical element with symbol Ag (Greek:άργυρος árguros, Latin:argentum, both from the Indo-European root *h₂erǵ- for "grey" or "shining") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it possesses the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and reflectivity of any metal. The metal occurs naturally in its pure, free form (native silver), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite.
Three reasons Silver stands out
- 1
Known for its high luster. Used in coins and jewlry.
- 2
It is the best electrical conductor of all the elements.
- 3
The reflective backing on glass mirrors is typically a thin layer of this metal.
The best conductor in the table
Silver conducts electricity and heat better than any other element, though cost and tarnish keep copper dominant in ordinary wiring. Light-sensitive silver halides made film photography possible. Its ions can suppress microbes, a useful property that does not make indiscriminate “colloidal silver” remedies safe.