Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Silver

Atomic number 47 means that every Silver nucleus contains 47 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Silver.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 47 means that every Silver nucleus contains 47 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Silver.

Silver (Ag) is chemical element 47. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in jewellery, electronics and solar cells.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 47 means that every Silver nucleus contains 47 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Silver.

Keep exploring

→ Silver · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

47AgSilver
Silver · Ag · Z = 47

Silver (Ag) is chemical element 47. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Silver (Ag) is chemical element 47. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in jewellery, electronics and solar cells.

What its position in the table tells us

Silver sits in period 5, group 11 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.