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Ag 47

Silver (Ag)

transition-metal
Period: 5 Group: 11 Block: s

Solid

Standard Atomic Weight

107.8682 u

Electron configuration

[Kr] 5s1 4d10

Melting point

961.78 °C (1234.93 K)

Boiling point

2161.85 °C (2435 K)

Density

1.050100e+4 kg/m³

Oxidation states

−2, −1, 0, +1, +2, +3

Electronegativity (Pauling)

1.93

Ionization energy (1st)

Discovery year

N/A

Atomic radius

160 pm

Details

Name origin Anglo-Saxon: siolful, (silver); symbol from Latin: argentium.
Discoverers Known to the ancients.

Silver is a soft, dense transition metal in group 11, chemically related to copper and gold but more reactive than gold. It is the best elemental conductor of electricity and heat at ordinary temperatures and has exceptional optical reflectivity when freshly polished. In nature it occurs as native metal and in sulfide, sulfosalt, chloride, and telluride minerals, commonly associated with lead, zinc, copper, and gold ores.

Pure silver has a brilliant white metallic luster. It is a little harder than gold and is very ductile and malleable, being exceeded only by gold and perhaps palladium. Pure silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals, and possesses the lowest contact resistance. It is stable in pure air and water, but tarnishes when exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulfide, or air containing sulfur. The alloys of silver are important.

The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon seofor and siolfur, which is of unknown origin. The symbol Ag derives from the Latin argentum and Sanskrit argunas from "bright". Silver was known in prehistoric times.

Archaeological evidence suggests that people have been using silver for at least 5000 years. Silver can be obtained from pure deposits, from silver ores such as argentite (Ag2S) and horn silver (AgCl), and in conjunction with deposits of ores containing lead, gold or copper.

The Latin word for silver is argentum. Silver has been known since ancient times. It is mentioned in Genesis. Slag dumps in Asia Minor and on islands in the Aegean Sea indicate that man learned to separate silver from lead as early as 3000 B.C.

Read about Silver on Wikipedia

Images

Properties

Physical

Atomic radius (empirical) 160 pm
Covalent radius 145 pm
Van der Waals radius 172 pm
Metallic radius 134 pm
Density
Molar volume 0.0103 L/mol
Phase at STP solid
Melting point 961.78 °C
Boiling point 2161.85 °C
Thermal conductivity 429 W/(m·K)
Specific heat capacity 0.235 J/(g·K)
Molar heat capacity 25.35 J/(mol·K)
Crystal structure fcc

Chemical

Electronegativity (Pauling) 1.93
Electronegativity (Allen) 1.87
Electron affinity
Ionization energy (1st)
Ionization energy (2nd)
Ionization energy (3rd)
Ionization energy (4th)
Ionization energy (5th)
Oxidation states −2, −1, 0, +1, +2, +3
Valence electrons 11
Electron configuration
Electron configuration (semantic)

Thermodynamic

Critical point (temperature) 6137 °C
Heat of fusion 0.11690936 eV
Heat of vaporization 2.597295 eV
Heat of sublimation 2.952791 eV
Heat of atomization 2.952791 eV
Atomization enthalpy

Nuclear

Stable isotopes 2

Abundance

Abundance (Earth's crust) 0.075 mg/kg
Abundance (ocean)

Reactivity

N/A

Crystal Structure

Lattice constant a 409 pm

Electronic Structure

Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 18, 1

Identifiers

CAS number 7440-22-4
Term symbol
InChI InChI=1S/Ag
InChI Key BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Electron Configuration Measured

Ion charge
Protons 47
Electrons 47
Charge Neutral
Configuration Ag: 4d¹⁰ 5s¹
Electron configuration
Measured
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s¹
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s¹
Orbital diagram
1s
2/2
2s
2/2
2p
6/6
3s
2/2
3p
6/6
4s
2/2
3d
10/10
4p
6/6
5s
1/2 1↑
4d
10/10
Total electrons: 47 Unpaired: 1 ?

Atomic model

Protons 47
Neutrons 60
Electrons 47
Mass number 107
Stability Stable

Isotopes change neutron count, mass, and stability — not the electron configuration of a neutral atom.

Schematic atomic model, not to scale.

Atomic Fingerprint

Emission / Absorption Spectrum

25 / 50 (50 with intensity)
Measured
Emission Visible: 380–750 nm
Source: NIST Atomic Spectra Database Wavelengths in air

Isotope Distribution

10751.8390%10948.1610%Mass numberNatural abundance (%)
Mass numberAtomic mass (u)Natural abundanceHalf-life
107 Stable106.9050916 ± 0.000002651.8390%Stable
109 Stable108.9047553 ± 0.000001448.1610%Stable
Measured

Phase / State

1 atm / 101.325 kPa
Solid 25 °C (298.15 K)

Reason: 936.8 °C below melting point (961.78 °C)

Melting point 961.78 °C
Boiling point 2161.85 °C
Below melting by 936.8 °C
0 K Current temperature: 25 °C 6000 K
Phase timeline

Schematic, not to scale

Solid
Liquid
Gas
Melting
Boiling
25°C
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Current

Phase transition points

Melting point Literature
961.78 °C
Boiling point Literature
2161.85 °C
Current phase Calculated
Solid

Transition energies

Heat of fusion Literature
0.11690936 eV

Energy required to melt 1 mol at melting point

Heat of vaporization Literature
2.597295 eV

Energy required to vaporize 1 mol at boiling point

Heat of sublimation Literature
2.952791 eV

Energy required to sublime 1 mol at sublimation point

Density

Reference density Literature
1.050100e+4 kg/m³

At standard conditions

Current density Calculated
1.050100e+4 kg/m³

At standard conditions

Advanced

Critical point Literature
6137 °C

Atomic Spectra

Showing 10 of 47 Atomic Spectra. Sorted by ion charge (ascending).

Lines Holdings ?

IonChargeTotal linesTransition probabilitiesLevel designations
Ag I 0103797
Ag II +1455237455
Ag III +214000
NIST Lines Holdings →

Levels Holdings ?

IonChargeLevels
Ag I 0107
Ag II +1100
Ag III +264
Ag IV +32
Ag V +42
Ag VI +52
Ag VII +62
Ag VIII +72
Ag IX +82
Ag X +92
NIST Levels Holdings →
47 Ag 107.8682

Silver — Atomic Orbital Visualizer

[Kr]5s14d10
Energy levels 2 8 18 18 1
Oxidation states -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3
HOMO 5s n=5 · l=0 · m=0
Silver — Atomic Orbital Visualizer Preview
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47 Ag 107.8682

Silver — Crystal Structure Visualizer

Face-Centered Cubic · Pearson cF4
Experimental
Pearson cF4
Coord. № 12
Packing 74.000%
Silver — Crystal Structure Visualizer Preview
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Ionic Radii

Showing 10 of 11 Ionic Radii.

ChargeCoordinationSpinRadius
+12N/A67 pm
+14N/A100 pm
+14N/A102 pm
+15N/A109.00000000000001 pm
+16N/A114.99999999999999 pm
+17N/A122 pm
+18N/A128 pm
+24N/A79 pm
+26N/A94 pm
+34N/A67 pm

Compounds

Ag
107.868 u
Ag+
107.868 u
Ag
109.906 u
Ag
110.905 u
Ag
107.906 u
Ag
104.907 u
Ag
102.909 u
Ag
103.909 u
Ag
111.907 u
Ag
108.905 u
Ag+
109.906 u
Ag
114.909 u
Ag
101.912 u
Ag
105.907 u
Ag
106.905 u
Ag
112.907 u

Isotopes (2)

Mass numberAtomic mass (u)Natural abundanceHalf-lifeDecay mode
107 Stable106.9050916 ± 0.000002651.8390% ± 0.0080%Stable
stable
109 Stable108.9047553 ± 0.000001448.1610% ± 0.0080%Stable
stable
107 Stable
Atomic mass (u) 106.9050916 ± 0.0000026
Natural abundance 51.8390% ± 0.0080%
Half-life Stable
Decay mode
stable
109 Stable
Atomic mass (u) 108.9047553 ± 0.0000014
Natural abundance 48.1610% ± 0.0080%
Half-life Stable
Decay mode
stable

Spectral Lines

Showing 50 of 125 Spectral Lines. Only spectral lines with measured intensity are shown by default.

Wavelength (nm)IntensityIon stageTypeTransitionAccuracySource
562.2482 nm21000Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[7/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
540.01037 nm20000Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[11/2]*MeasuredNIST
540.31323 nm15000Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[11/2]*MeasuredNIST
555.19264 nm12000Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[7/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
548.81562 nm8300Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[5/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
558.97829 nm4200Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[5/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
534.00267 nm2900Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
554.32121 nm2700Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[5/2] → 4d8.(3F).5s.5p.(3P*) 1F*MeasuredNIST
557.96782 nm2400Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[7/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
549.38302 nm2300Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[5/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
555.81412 nm2300Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[5/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
557.38257 nm2300Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[7/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
542.40509 nm2200Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
541.08117 nm1800Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
514.28157 nm1700Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[1/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]*MeasuredNIST
558.84183 nm1700Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[7/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
536.27883 nm1600Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
539.24682 nm1500Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
547.86589 nm1500Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]*MeasuredNIST
533.25049 nm1300Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
531.24574 nm1200Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
520.9078 nm1000Ag Iemission4d10.5p 2P* → 4d10.5d 2DMeasuredNIST
546.54853 nm1000Ag Iemission4d10.5p 2P* → 4d10.5d 2DMeasuredNIST
441.196 nm830Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6p 2[7/2]* → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).8s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
541.19338 nm740Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2] → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
513.72469 nm720Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[1/2] → 4d8.(3F).5s.5p.(3P*) 1D*MeasuredNIST
421.09542 nm700Ag Iemission4d10.5p 2P* → 4d10.6d 2DMeasuredNIST
431.959 nm630Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6p 2[7/2]* → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).8s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
443.063 nm580Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).6p 2[5/2]* → 4d9.(2D<3/2>).8s 2[3/2]MeasuredNIST
408.59155 nm470Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 4d8.5s2 1GMeasuredNIST
449.492 nm410Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6p 2[5/2]* → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).8s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
453.041 nm410Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6p 2[5/2]* → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).8s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
405.5475 nm400Ag Iemission4d10.5p 2P* → 4d10.6d 2DMeasuredNIST
431.354 nm290Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).6p 2[5/2]* → 4d9.(2D<3/2>).8s 2[3/2]MeasuredNIST
436.409 nm290Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).6p 2[1/2]* → 4d9.(2D<3/2>).8s 2[3/2]MeasuredNIST
444.917 nm290Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).6p 2[3/2]* → 4d9.(2D<3/2>).8s 2[3/2]MeasuredNIST
478.83966 nm260Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 4d8.5s2 1DMeasuredNIST
418.547499 nm250Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 4d8.5s2 1DMeasuredNIST
723.9381 nm250Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6s 2[5/2] → 4d8.(3F).5s.5p.(3P*) 5G*MeasuredNIST
398.51904 nm220Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 4d8.5s2 3PMeasuredNIST
433.316 nm210Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6p 2[7/2]* → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).8s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
447.909 nm210Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6p 2[3/2]* → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).8s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
451.558 nm210Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).6p 2[5/2]* → 4d9.(2D<5/2>).8s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
381.09396 nm200Ag Iemission4d10.5p 2P* → 4d10.7d 2DMeasuredNIST
699.906 nm200Ag IIemission4d8.(3F).5s.5p.(3P*) 5D* → 4d9.(2D<3/2>).7s 2[3/2]MeasuredNIST
392.01238 nm180Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 4d8.5s2 3PMeasuredNIST
462.00355 nm170Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 4d8.5s2 1DMeasuredNIST
394.9435 nm160Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 4d8.5s2 3PMeasuredNIST
502.73432 nm160Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 4d8.5s2 1DMeasuredNIST
390.930327 nm140Ag IIemission4d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 4d8.5s2 1DMeasuredNIST

Extended Properties

Covalent Radii (Extended)

Covalent radius (Pyykkö)  
Covalent radius (Pyykkö, double)  
Covalent radius (Pyykkö, triple)  
Covalent radius (Bragg)  

Van der Waals Radii

Batsanov  
Alvarez  
UFF  
MM3  

Atomic & Metallic Radii

Atomic radius (Rahm)  
Metallic radius (C12)  

Numbering Scales

Mendeleev
Pettifor
Glawe

Electronegativity Scales

Ghosh
Miedema
Gunnarsson–Lundqvist
Robles–Bartolotti

Polarizability & Dispersion

Dipole polarizability  
Dipole polarizability (unc.)  
C₆ (Gould–Bučko)  

Miedema Parameters

Miedema molar volume  
Miedema electron density

Supply Risk & Economics

Production concentration
Relative supply risk
Reserve distribution
Political stability (top producer)
Political stability (top reserve)

Phase Transitions & Allotropes

Melting point1234.93 K
Boiling point2435.15 K
Critical point (temperature)6410.15 K

Oxidation State Categories

+3 extended
+2 extended
0 extended
−1 extended
−2 extended
+1 main

Advanced Reference Data

Screening Constants (10)
nOrbitalσ
1s0.9577
2p4.0806
2s12.3658
3d14.4602
3p17.1914
3s16.9688
4d32.2372
4p28.4376
4s27.1352
5s40.2445
Crystal Radii Detail (11)
ChargeCNSpinrcrystal (pm)Origin
1II81
1IV114calculated,
1IVSQ116
1V123calculated,
1VI129calculated,
1VII136
1VIII142
2IVSQ93
2VI108
3IVSQ81
Isotope Decay Modes (68)
IsotopeModeIntensity
92B+—
92p—
93p—
93B+—
93B+p—
94B+100%
94B+p0.2%
95B+100%
95B+p2.3%
96B+100%
X‑ray Scattering Factors (508)
Energy (eV)f₁f₂
10—1.18566
10.1617—1.22941
10.3261—1.27478
10.4931—1.32182
10.6628—1.38215
10.8353—1.45541
11.0106—1.53256
11.1886—1.61379
11.3696—1.69933
11.5535—1.78755

Additional Data

Sources

Sources of this element.

Silver occurs natively and in ores such as argentite (Ag2S) and horn silver (AgCl); lead, lead-zinc, copper, gold, and copper-nickel ores are principal sources. Mexico, Canada, Peru, and the U.S. are the principal silver producers in the western hemisphere.

References (1)

Production

Production of this element (from raw materials or other compounds containing the element).

Silver is also recovered during electrolytic refining of copper. Commercial fine silver contains at least 99.9% silver. Purities of 99.999+% are available commercially.

References (1)

Isotopes in Forensic Science and Anthropology

Information on the use of this element's isotopes in forensic science and anthropology.

Silver isotope-amount ratiosn(107Ag)/n(109Ag) along with isotope-amount ratios of copper n(65Cu)/n(63Cu), and isotope-amount ratios of lead (n(206Pb)/n(204Pb), n(207Pb)/n(204Pb) and n(208Pb)/n(204Pb)) have been used to determine origins of European coins and information on the flow of goods in the world market over time (Fig. IUPAC.47.1). Metals from Peru and Mexico and those from European mining have distinct isotopic signatures that enable the origin of the metal to be determined by examining the isotopic compositions of silver, copper, and lead in the coins. Abundant silver sources, mined in Mexico and Peru in the 16 th century, were used to mint coins, but they were not a major influence in the European coin market until the 18 th century (Fig. IUPAC.47.1) [237] [237] A. M. Desaulty, P. Telouk, E. Albalat, F. Albarede. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.108, 9002 (2011).[237] A. M. Desaulty, P. Telouk, E. Albalat, F. Albarede. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.108, 9002 (2011)..

References (2)
  • [237] A. M. Desaulty, P. Telouk, E. Albalat, F. Albarede. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.108, 9002 (2011).
  • [4] IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes (IPTEI) https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-0703

References

(9)
2 Atomic Mass Data Center (AMDC), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Ag

The half-life and atomic mass data was provided by the Atomic Mass Data Center at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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3 IUPAC Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (CIAAW)
Silver

Element data are cited from the Atomic weights of the elements (an IUPAC Technical Report). The IUPAC periodic table of elements can be found at https://iupac.org/what-we-do/periodic-table-of-elements/. Additional information can be found within IUPAC publication doi:10.1515/pac-2015-0703 Copyright © 2020 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

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4 IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes (IPTEI)

The information are cited from Pure Appl. Chem. 2018; 90(12): 1833-2092, https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-0703.

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License note: Copyright (c) 2020 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) contribution within Pubchem is provided under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, unless otherwise stated.
5 Jefferson Lab, U.S. Department of Energy
Silver

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is one of 17 national laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The lab's primary mission is to conduct basic research of the atom's nucleus using the lab's unique particle accelerator, known as the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF). For more information visit https://www.jlab.org/

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License note: Please see citation and linking information: https://education.jlab.org/faq/index.html
6 Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy
Silver

The periodic table at the LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) contains basic element information together with the history, source, properties, use, handling and more. The provenance data may be found from the link under the source name.

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7 NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory
Silver

The periodic table contains NIST's critically-evaluated data on atomic properties of the elements. The provenance data that include data for atomic spectroscopy, X-ray and gamma ray, radiation dosimetry, nuclear physics, and condensed matter physics may be found from the link under the source name. Ref: https://www.nist.gov/pml/atomic-spectra-database

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8 PubChem Elements
Silver

This section provides all form of data related to element Silver.

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9 PubChem Elements
Silver

The element property data was retrieved from publications.

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Last updated:

Data verified:

Content is reviewed against latest scientific data.