Silver = Argentum (Ag)

Silver is one of the most well known elements of the periodic table. It can be found in many every-day items, such as spoons and coins, to high-priced and expensive jewelry. It was discovered soon after copper and gold. The symbol for silver on the periodic table is Ag. This can be a tough symbol to remember, as Ag has nothing in common with the word Silver. Though not obvious at first, there is a connection between the two. Many words have been derived from Latin roots, as Latin was once commonly used as an international language by scientists. The symbol Ag stands for the Latin word argentum, which originally meant white or shining. The word argentum can now be translated as silver, thus the connection between silver and its symbol Ag. There are several other elements of the periodic table whose symbols are derived from Latin words, such as gold, with the symbol Au (aurum), or sodium, with the symbol Na (natrium). Learning Latin roots can be a helpful technique in mastering the elements, and is helpful in almost any other field as well. Although not easy to see at first, the connection between silver and its symbol Ag is there.