Silver (Ag)
Silver is element 47, a transition metal in period 5, group 11 of the periodic table. At room temperature it is a solid.
Electron configuration [Kr] 4d10 5s1
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 18, 1
Silver data
| Atomic number | 47 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ag |
| Atomic mass | 107.868 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 11 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1235 K (961.9 °C) |
| Boiling point | 2435 K (2161.9 °C) |
| Density | 10.49 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.93 |
| Atomic radius | 153 pm |
| 1st ionization energy | 731 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | -126 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation states | +1, +2, +3 |
| Common ion charge | + |
| Discovered | Known since antiquity |
Orbital diagram
Each box is one orbital holding up to two electrons of opposite spin. Following Hund’s rule, electrons spread out singly across a subshell before pairing.
Work through silver’s configuration and its ions →
Where silver sits
Silver belongs to the transition metals. Its Pauling electronegativity of 1.93 is mid-range; see the electronegativity chart and periodic trends for context. To use its mass in a calculation, try the molar mass calculator.
Silver FAQ
What is the electron configuration of silver?
Silver (Z = 47) has the configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s1. In noble-gas shorthand that is [Kr] 4d10 5s1. This is an exception to the simple Aufbau prediction (1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d9 5s2); a half-filled or filled subshell lowers the energy.
How many valence electrons does silver have?
11 (1 outer s + 10 d electrons; 1 in the outermost shell).
What is the atomic mass of silver?
The standard atomic weight of silver is 107.868 u, so one mole weighs 107.868 g.
Is silver a metal?
Yes. Silver is a transition metal.
What is the charge of a silver ion?
Silver most commonly forms Ag+.