Silver

    




 * Element Symbol:**

Ag, after the Latin word Argentum

- Atomic number: 47 - Atomic mass: 107.87 g.mol -1 - Density: 10.5 g.cm-3 at 20°C - Melting point: 962 °C - Boiling point: 2212 °C - Isotopes: 11
 * Chemical Characteristics of element:**


 * Physical Characteristics of element:**

- Color is silver white - Luster is metallic - Transparency is opaque - Fracture is jagged. - Streak is silver white. - Hardness is 2.5-3. (Soft) - Associated Minerals are silver minerals such as acanthite and prousite, cobaltite, copper, zeolites and quartz. - Other Characteristics: ductile, malleable and sectile, meaning it can be pounded into other shapes, stretched into a wire and cut into slices. - Best Field Indicators are color, tarnish, ductility and crystal habit.


 * Where is the element found in nature:**

Metallic silver occurs in pure form as thin sheets or as long wires and bundles of wires. Mostly silver is obtained as a byproduct in the refining of other metals. World production of newly mined silver is around 17.000 tones per year, of which only about a quarter comes from silver mines. Silver is mined in approximately 56 countries. Nevada produces over one-third of the U.S. silver. Largest silver reserves are found in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Peru, and China.


 * How is the element recovered and purified:**

In natural form silver does not need to be refined and purified, but silver is commonly extracted from other metals. This is done by smelting or chemical leaching. Silver is also produced during the electrolytic refining of copper and by application of the Parkes process ("This procedure, commonly called the Parkes process, involves adding zinc to lead and melting the two together. When stirred, the molten zinc reacts and forms compounds with any silver and gold present in the lead") on lead metal obtained from lead ores that contain small amounts of silver.


 * How do we use the element; what products are made from the element; how are these products used; who uses the products:**

Silver has been used for thousands of years for jewelry and decorative items of all types; it has been used for silverware as well. Of all the metals, untarnished silver is the best reflector of light. As a result, it was used in ancient times to make mirrors. Silver is also used as a currency and at one time, along with gold, was the standard for the currency of the United States of America. Silver bromide and silver nitrate are used in photography. It is estimated that about one-third of the silver used in the United States is used in various photographic materials and processes. It is also used in electrical products because it conducts electricity so well. Another use of silver was by dentists in amalgam fillings. Silver can also be used in the production of bearings, batteries, and technological machines.


 * Are there any environmental concerns due to this use:**

Of course everyone should be cautious not to litter and pollute our environment, and putting silver out there is no exception. Some believe that silver is a metal that in ionic form has properties that are hazardous to the environment, but overall silver really isn’t harmful as long as it is disposed of properly.


 * How are waste products disposed of:**

Silver can be found in photographic waste, electrical and electronic scrap, jewelry and coinage. Since silver is a natural resource and is used for many different things, it's important to recycle it. There are different ways to ensure that silver gets reused and recycled, such as:
 * “Sell your old silver jewelry to a jewelry store, or donate it to a humanitarian organization. This enables the silver to be reused, or the jewelry store can melt it down to create new jewelry.”
 * “Take your old photographs to a photography lab so that they can reclaim the silver from the pictures. A common way to reclaim the silver is called electrolysis, which uses a solution and an electrical current.”
 * “Use your computer's manufacturer's recycling program to recycle the silver in your electronic devices. Even cell phone companies recycle old cell phones. This enables the silver to become a part of new computers and cell phones.”


 * Sources Cited:**

http://www.kemi.se/templates/Page____5305.aspx http://www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements/ag-en.htm http://www.mii.org/periodic/Ag.htm http://www.progressive-environmental.com/faq.html http://www.ehow.com/how_4487949_recycle-silver.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/444136/Parkes-process

~Brenna