Chemistry Written Report On Silver - School Project! Facts!

So I am in school for paramedic and I have to choose any element on the periodic table of elements, I had to flip a coin to get silver as someone else in the class took the topic! I won! here it is! (doesn't have hand drawn pictures and no charts ect)

Silver â€" the Poor Man's Gold

Chemical Symbol Ag
Atomic Number - 47
Atomic Mass - 107.8682 amu
Number of Protons - 47
Number of Electrons - 47
Number of Neutrons - 61


Silver dates back to 1583 when Spanish explorer, Antonio de Espejo discovered it in Western Arizona. Espejo's discovery had such a dramatic impact on the world that merely every country at the time started using silver as their form of currency. In fact, the word "silver" also means "money" in 14 different languages. The name silver is formed from the old English word "seolfor", also the symbol for silver originated from the Latin word "argentums."

Silver has two naturally occurring isotopes, ¹��Ag (51.84% abundance) & ¹��Ag (48.16% abundance) and this precious metal is categorized as a metal. Silver is found in mines very similar to gold. Silver is found in the ground in the form of silver nuggets. Silver is not toxic to humans and will not jeopardize their health but silver does have a deadly effect on bacteria and viruses. Silver targets their nucleus and kills the bacteria or virus. While silver is not deadly to humans, we turn to it and rely on it big and small. Silver can be used in topical gels and impregnated into bandages because of its wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Silver is found in mines. It is produced as a co-product of copper, lead and zinc. Silver is extracted by smelting the ore.


Chemical Properties of Silver:
Silver is a very inactive metal â€" it does not react with oxygen in the air under normal circumstances.

Silver does not react readily with water, acids, or many other compounds. It does not burn except as silver powder.

Silver does react with sulfur compounds in the air causing silver to tarnish (Agâ‚‚S).



Physical Properties of Silver:
Silver is dense, it is a soft metal. It is lustrous white (silver) in color and has the ability to be dissolved.

Silver is a brilliant white lustrous sheen when in its purest state, silver is also very ductile.

Silver, a chemical element, is one of the most malleable metals.


Silver has many uses today and has been the same since the 14th century. Some of these uses are:

•Sterling silver (92.5% silver and 7.5% copper) is the standard composition for silver jewelry
•Pre-1965 American coinage contains 90% silver
•Pre-1968 Canadian coinage contains 80% silver
•Investors collect silver rounds, bars, coins and bullion, produced by mints like the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa and the Liberty Mint in America
•Many electronics are silver plated (majority are also gold plated too)

Historical and Interesting Facts about Silver

•In 1792, silver became the key role in the United States monetary system, congress based the currency on the silver dollar and worked it into the half dollar, quarter and dime.
•Interesting fact â€" I own 22 ounces of silver!
•The hallmark on silver may be 925 (normal) or the word 'sterling' or the lion passant mark.
•In ancient Egypt and Medieval Europe, silver was often more valuable than gold.