Chemical Elements History and Information Silver

About the chemical element Silver, its symbol, atomic number and weight, who discovered it and when.

The Atomic Elements and Their Uses

(Element) (Symbol) (Atomic number) (Atomic weight)

Silver Ag 47 107.868

Known since prehistoric times. As early as 3500 B.C., a trade ratio was established which set 2 1/2 parts of silver equal to 1 part of gold. Silver and gold have been highly valued by almost all civilizations. In clean air, silver keeps its white, shiny luster. But when the air is contaminated by ozone or hydrogen sulfide, silver forms a dull black tarnish called silver sulfide. Silver was used much more extensively in the past as an ornamental metal, and one of the best silversmiths in U.S. history was Paul Revere.