26.Jul.2010 at 26 | admin
5 Interesting Silver Uses
Though you may be more interested in silver futures than silver facts, it can be fun to learn some information about silver, which man has been using for thousands of years. With this in mind, here are a few things you might not know about this storied element.
- Conductivity and Malleability
Although copper wire is much more common due to its lower price, silver is the most electrically and thermally conductive metal or element known to man. It is also very malleable, only slightly less so than gold, which partially explains its widespread use in coins. The blades of knives in silverware are usually stainless steel, since silver is too soft to be an effective cutting material.
- Reflectivity
Silver is also the most reflective metal known, which explains its use in mirrors. Unfortunately, it rapidly tarnishes, especially when exposed to air containing sulfur.
- Effects on the Body
Silver can easily be absorbed into the bloodstream, and in high enough quantities, it can cause a condition called argyria, which is characterized by bluish-gray skin. Silver also has germicidal properties and is sometimes used to fight illness for this reason. People also used to put silver dollars in milk bottles in an effort to keep the milk from spoiling.
- Cloud Seeding
Silver Iodide, one of silver’s compounds, is frequently used for cloud seeding, the process of spraying clouds with chemicals to induce precipitation. Small planes are often used in this endeavor.
- X-Ray Uses
Most x-ray film still has a silver component, and when developed, a chemical washes off the unexposed silver crystals, which are then reclaimed from the development system and usually sold. In most areas, silver is considered a pollutant, so it’s illegal to let unused silver of this kind go down the drain into the sewage system.
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