Silver is a chemical element with symbol Ag (Greek: άργυρος árguros, Latin: argentum, both from the Indo-European root *h₂erǵ- for "grey" or "shining") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it possesses the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and reflectivity of any metal. The metal occurs naturally in its pure, free form (native silver), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. Most silver is produced as a byproduct of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining.
Silver is a Group 11 element, along with copper and gold(1). Electron configuration for all three consists of a single ns electron outside a closed (n-1)d subshell. The lone electron is highly mobile, making all three metals excellent conductors of electricity. Silver itself has the highest conductivity of any element, being slightly better than copper in that respect.
Silver has long been valued as a precious metal. It was, by far, the most universally used coinage metal until the idea of a coin's having intrinsic value became obsolete. Most countries which minted silver coins also minted gold coins - but the high price of gold meant gold coins were either so valuable that they were awkward to use in everyday transactions or so small that they were easily lost.
In addition, silver has numerous applications beyond currency, such as in solar panels, water filtration, jewelry and ornaments, high-value tableware and utensils (hence the term silverware), and also as an investment in the forms of coins and bullion. Silver is used industrially in electrical contacts and conductors, in specialized mirrors, window coatings and in catalysis of chemical reactions. Its compounds are used in photographic film and X-rays. Dilute silver nitrate solutions and other silver compounds are used as disinfectants and microbiocides (oligodynamic effect), added to bandages and wound-dressings, catheters and other medical instruments.
- Roentgenium is also a Group 11 element. It is predicted to have a pair of 7s electrons, rather than a single electron, so its conductivity might be significantly lower than the other Group 11 elements.