Silver is a soft, lustrous metal prized for millennia, serving as a medium of exchange, ornamentation, and an industrial component. This element holds the atomic number 47, which determines its location on the periodic table. The designation of silver by the symbol “Ag” and its placement are rooted in both linguistic history and atomic science.
The Origin of the Symbol Ag
The chemical symbol “Ag” does not correspond to the modern English name “silver,” but is derived from the Latin term Argentum. This ancient name is believed to stem from an older Indo-European root meaning “white and bright” or “shining.” This etymological link directly references the metal’s highly reflective, brilliant white luster.
Silver is one of the seven metals known to ancient humans and was widely used before the formal scientific classification of elements. Because the element was known and named in antiquity, the established Latin name was adopted when the modern system of chemical notation was formalized. This historical naming convention explains why many elements discovered long ago, such as gold (Au) and iron (Fe), have symbols disconnected from their common English names.
Defining Silver’s Position on the Periodic Table
Silver’s position on the periodic table is a direct consequence of its atomic structure, specifically its atomic number, 47. It is located in the fifth row, Period 5, because its electrons occupy five principal quantum shells.
The element is positioned in Group 11, classifying it as a d-block transition metal. Silver’s electron configuration, \([\text{Kr}]4d^{10}5s^1\), is an exception to typical filling rules, featuring a full \(d\)-orbital and a single electron in the outermost \(s\)-orbital. This stable arrangement is the fundamental reason for its placement with copper and gold. This structure defines silver as a transition metal.
Chemical Behavior and Unique Properties
The specific \([\text{Kr}]4d^{10}5s^1\) electron configuration explains silver’s notable properties. The loosely held single \(s\)-electron allows electrons to move with minimal resistance, resulting in silver having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.
Silver is considered a noble metal, exhibiting low chemical reactivity. It resists rusting or true corrosion, but it does react slowly with trace amounts of sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, present in the air. This reaction forms the familiar black silver sulfide layer known as tarnishing.