Element 47 · Transition metal
Silver (Ag) — Element 47
Anglo-Saxon seolfor
Silver (Ag) is a transition metal in Period 5, Group 11 of the periodic table with atomic number 47, standard atomic weight 107.87 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s¹. At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 11 valence electrons and common oxidation states +1.
Jewelry, electronics, photography
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Silver?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 47
- Standard atomic mass
- 107.87 u
- Chemical family
- Transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s¹
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 1
- Valence electrons
- 11
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +1
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 1.93 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 731 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 165 pm
- Melting point
- 962 °C
- Boiling point
- 2,162 °C
- Discovery year
- Ancient
- Table coordinate
- Period 5, Group 11
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Silver’s shells?
A neutral Silver atom contains 47 electrons distributed across 5 occupied principal energy shells ([Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s¹). The table below compares Silver’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Ag | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 18 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 1 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Silver (Ag)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Silver (Ag)?
Silver (Ag) has atomic number Z = 47 (47 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 107.87 u. It sits in Period 5, Group 11 and is classified as a transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Silver?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Silver (Z = 47) is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s¹. Across its 5 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 5), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 18, 1, with 11 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Silver?
Silver commonly forms +1 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 1.93 and its first ionization energy is 731 kJ/mol.
When was Silver discovered and what is it used for?
Silver was discovered in Ancient (Anglo-Saxon seolfor). Jewelry, electronics, photography
How does Silver compare to neighboring elements?
Other transition metal elements: