Question

mineral:silver
chemical formula:
color(s):
mineral group:
Streak:
hardness:
luster:
specific gravity:
cleavage:
transparency:
fracture:
sources:
Important uses 1,2,3,4;

Answer 1

mineral: silver

chemical formula: Ag

color(s): bright silver-white (fresh); tarnishes yellow, brown to black (silver sulfide/oxides)

mineral group: native element (native metals)

Streak: silver-white to gray

hardness: 2.5–3 (Mohs)

luster: metallic

specific gravity: ~10.5 (10.49 for pure silver; native specimens ~10.5–11.0)

cleavage: none

transparency: opaque

fracture: hackly/uneven; malleable and sectile

sources: typically occurs native in hydrothermal and epithermal veins, replacement deposits and in association with sulfides; commonly associated minerals include acanthite/argentite (Ag2S), galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, native gold, and silver halides (chlorargyrite, cerargyrite); major producing regions/countries include Mexico, Peru, China, Chile, Russia, Bolivia, Poland, USA, Canada, Australia.

Important uses:
1) Jewelry, silverware and bullion/coinage (ornamental and investment uses)
2) Electrical and electronics (highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal—used for contacts, conductors, printed circuit components, and photovoltaics)
3) Photography and imaging (silver halides used historically in photographic film and some current imaging applications)
4) Industrial and medical applications (antimicrobial coatings, catalysts, silver oxide batteries, chemical reagents)