What is silver used for?

Silver has a wide range of uses across various industries due to its unique properties, such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, reflectivity, and antimicrobial characteristics. Here are some of the primary uses of silver:

Electronics:

Conductors and Contacts: Silver is used in electrical contacts and conductors due to its excellent conductivity. It's found in switches, relays, circuit boards, and other electrical components.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs): Silver-based inks are used in the production of PCBs and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
Batteries: Silver oxide batteries are commonly used in small devices like watches and hearing aids.
Jewelry and Silverware:

Silver is widely used to make jewelry, cutlery, and decorative items because of its luster and workability.
Photography:

Photographic Film: Silver halides are light-sensitive and are used in traditional photographic film and paper. Though digital photography has reduced this usage, it's still relevant in certain specialized areas.
Medicine:

Antimicrobial Applications: Silver has antimicrobial properties and is used in wound dressings, coatings for medical devices, and antibacterial creams.
Dental Alloys: Silver is used in dental amalgams for fillings.
Solar Energy:

Photovoltaic Cells: Silver is a key component in the production of solar panels, where it helps conduct electricity generated from sunlight.
Mirrors and Coatings:

Reflective Coatings: Silver is used to make high-quality mirrors and coatings for windows and optical devices due to its excellent reflectivity.
Industrial Applications:

Catalysts: Silver acts as a catalyst in chemical reactions, such as the production of formaldehyde from methanol.
Bearings: Silver is used in high-performance engine bearings.
Monetary and Investment:

Coins and Bullion: Silver has been used historically in coins and is still used today for bullion and investment purposes.
Water Purification:

Silver ions are used in water filtration systems to inhibit bacterial growth and ensure safe drinking water.
Textiles:

Silver threads are woven into fabrics to provide antimicrobial and anti-odor properties, useful in sportswear and medical textiles.
These diverse applications highlight the versatility and importance of silver in modern technology and everyday life.