Silver

Silver is a beautiful metal with a bright shine. People have loved silver for thousands of years. It is softer than iron but strong enough to make into many things. Silver is found deep in the ground in rocks called ore. It is used in jewelry, coins, mirrors, and more.

How Silver Is Used

Silver is great for making shiny jewelry like rings and necklaces. It also carries electricity even better than copper, so it is used in some computers. Mirrors get their bright reflection from a thin layer of silver on the back. Silver is used in cameras and some medicines too. Doctors sometimes use silver to help heal cuts because it fights germs.

Silver in History

Long ago, people used silver coins to buy and sell things. Countries stamped pictures of kings and queens on silver money. The word for silver in many languages is also the word for money. Silver was so valuable that people went searching for it in faraway places. Some old silver bowls and cups are hundreds of years old and still look nice.

Fun Facts

• Silver reflects more light than any other metal.
• Olympic second place winners get silver medals.
• Silver can be pounded into sheets so thin you can see through them.

Did You Know?

Silver turns dark when it touches some foods like eggs, but you can polish it to make it shiny again.