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  Silver

  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical

  symbol Ag (Latin: argentum) and atomic number 47.

  A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the  

  highest electrical conductivity of any element and the

  highest thermal conductivity 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 by-product of copper, gold, lead, and

  zinc refining.

  Silver has long been valued as a precious metal, and it

  is used to make  ornaments, jewelry, high-value

  tableware, utensils (hence the term  silverware), and

  currency coins. Today, silver metal is also used in

  electrical contacts and conductors, in mirrors and in

  catalysis of chemical reactions. Its compounds are

  used in photographic film and dilute silver nitrate

  solutions and other silver compounds are used as

  disinfectants and  microbiocides. While many medical

  antimicrobial uses of silver have been supplanted

  by antibiotics, further research into clinical potential

  continues.