What is Silver?
{{nosource|date=May 2013}} {{about|the element|the color|Silver (color)}} [[File:1000oz.silver.bullion.bar.underneath.jpg|thumb|Silver bar, or [[ingot]]]] '''Silver''' (symbol '''Ag''') is a [[chemical element]]. In [[chemistry]], silver is element 47, a [[transition metal]]. It has an [[atomic weight]] of 107.86 a.m.u. Its symbol is Ag, from the [[Latin]] word for silver, ''argentum''. ==Properties== ===Physical properties=== Silver is a soft [[metal]]. It is also a [[precious metal]]. When it is used in money or in jewellery, it is often [[alloy]]<nowiki/>ed with [[gold]] or some other metal to make it [[hardness|harder]]. It is bluish-white. Among metals, it is the most [[Reflection|reflective]] and the best [[Electrical conductor|conductor]] of [[electricity]] and heat. It is considered a precious metal. It is very [[malleable]] and [[wikt:ductile|ductile]], which means it can be pulled into [[wire]] or hammered into thin sheets. Silver is one of the few words in the [[English language]] that does not rhyme with any other word. Silver [[coins]] and [[wikt:bar|bars]] can be bought and sold at [[coin]] [[shop]]s around the [[world]]. ===Chemical properties=== [[File:Silver-264109.jpg|thumb|Natural silver tarnished]] Silver is less reactive than most other metals. It does not dissolve in most acids. [[Nitric acid]] dissolves it, though, to make [[silver nitrate]]. It does react with strong [[oxidizing agent]]s like [[potassium dichromate]] or [[potassium permanganate]]. It does not corrode easily. It only corrodes when there is [[hydrogen sulfide]] in the air. Then, it forms a black coating known as [[wikt:tarnish|tarnish]]. [[File:Silver(I)-oxide-sample.jpg|thumb|[[Silver(I) oxide]]]] Silver exists in two main [[oxidation state]]s: +1 and +2. The +1 is much more common. A few compounds exist in the +2 oxidation state, but they are very strong oxidizing agents. Silver compounds can be brown, black, yellow, gray, or colorless. Silver compounds are disinfectants. ;Silver(I) compounds Silver(I) compounds are [[