What is the chemical symbol for silver? A) Si B) Ag C) Au D) Pb
VerifiedAnswer: B) Ag
Explanation:
The correct answer is B) Ag. The chemical symbol for silver is Ag, which comes from the Latin word "argentum" meaning silver. This is why silver's symbol doesn't match the first letter of its English name, unlike many other elements.
Let's look at why the other options are incorrect. Option A) Si is the chemical symbol for silicon, a metalloid element commonly found in computer chips and glass. Option C) Au represents gold, which also comes from its Latin name "aurum." Option D) Pb stands for lead, derived from the Latin word "plumbum."
Silver has been known to humanity for thousands of years and has been used for making jewelry, coins, and decorative items. It's a precious metal with excellent electrical conductivity, making it valuable in electronics and photography. Silver is also naturally antimicrobial, which is why it's sometimes used in medical applications.
In the periodic table, silver is located in Group 11 and Period 5, with an atomic number of 47. It's classified as a transition metal and shares similar properties with other Group 11 elements like copper (Cu) and gold (Au). Remember, chemical symbols are standardized worldwide, so Ag represents silver in every country, regardless of what silver is called in different languages.
