Silver (Ag): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Silver (Ag): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Kr] 5s1 4d10 · group 11 · period 5 · Ar 107.87
Silver data
- Atomic number
- 47
- Relative atomic mass
- 107.87
- Group
- 11
- Period
- 5
- Block
- d
- Category
- Transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 5s1 4d10
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1 4d10
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 1 (K L M N O)
- Valence electrons
- 11
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.93
- First ionisation energy
- 7.576 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 172 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 962 °C
- Boiling point
- 2162 °C
- Density
- 10.501 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +1
- Discovered
- ancient times
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 18 · O 1
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About silver
Silver, symbol Ag, is element number 47 in the periodic table. It is a transition metal in group 11, period 5, d-block. Silver has been known and used since ancient times. The symbol Ag comes from the Latin argentum. Silver is a solid at room temperature, melting at 962 °C and boiling at 2162 °C.
Silver electron configuration
The electron configuration of silver is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1 4d10, or in short [Kr] 5s1 4d10. Its electrons occupy 5 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 18, O = 1. For transition metals, valence electrons are counted from the 5s and 4d subshells: 1 + 10 = 11, matching group 11. This is an exception to the Aufbau rule: the usual filling order predicts [Kr] 5s2 4d9, but a full 4d subshell is more stable, so an electron moves from the s subshell into 4d. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Ag+ = [Kr] 4d10.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s1(37) → 4d10(47)
Uses of silver
Well-known applications of silver include jewellery and coins, electrical contacts and conductive paste for solar cells, silver nitrate for argentometric titration, and antimicrobials. For research and analysis you can browse silver compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Silver metal is safe, but silver nitrate is corrosive and stains skin black. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 11
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of silver?
The electron configuration of silver (Ag, atomic number 47) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1 4d10, or [Kr] 5s1 4d10 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 18, 1.
How many valence electrons does silver have?
Silver has 11 valence electrons.
Which group and period is silver in?
Silver is in group 11, period 5, d-block.
What is the atomic mass of silver?
The relative atomic mass of silver is 107.87. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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