Sunday, February 3, 2013

Feb 2013 Metal of the Month: Silver

 
Feb 2013 Metal of the Month:  Silver



Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal.   The metal occurs naturally in its pure, free form as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. Most silver is produced as a byproduct of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining. Many well-known uses of silver involve its precious metal properties, including currency, decorative items, and mirrors. The contrast between its bright white color and other media makes it very useful to the visual arts. It has also long been used to confer high monetary value as objects such as silver coins and investment bars or make objects symbolic of high social or political rank. Today, silver metal is also used in electrical contacts and conductors and in catalysts of chemical reactions. Its compounds are used in photographic film, and diluted silver nitrate solutions. Other silver compounds are used as disinfectants. Among metals, pure silver has a very high optical reflectivity.  Silver is stable in pure air and water, but tarnishes when it is exposed to air or water containing ozone or hydrogen sulfide. Recorded use of silver to prevent infection dates to ancient Greece and Rome. It was re-discovered in the Middle Ages, when it was used for several purposes such as to disinfect water and food during storage and also for the treatment of burns and wounds as wound dressing. In the 19th century, sailors on long ocean voyages would put silver coins in barrels of water and wine to keep the liquid potable. Pioneers in America used the same idea as they made their journey from coast to coast. Silver solutions were approved in the 1920s by the US Food and Drug Administration for use as antibacterial agents.

February 2013 General Meeting Program

Feb 2013 Program: Semi Annual Silent Auction
Now is the time to bring some of that neat rock you probably found on your vacation
travels here and there. We will have a GREAT SILENT AUCTION at our February Meeting and
your contributions will make it even better. Anyone can bring something to put on the auction
tables. If you think it is really special, mark it for the EXTENDED AUCTION table and tell the
set up crew what the bid should start at. Our auction is really many auctions until everything
gets a bid and someone takes it home. Bidding starts at 25 cents on each item and goes up by 25
cents or more. When the timer rings, the last name on the list gets the item and pays the club
treasurer. Yes, we still have a ‘KIDS ONLY’ table. Not only rocks are on the tables. There
can be many items used in our hobby, baked goods, homemade items.
ALL VERY NICE ITEMS YOU WILL WANT TO BID ON!
This is always a lot of fun, for everyone and remember - KEEP YOUR PENCIL
HANDY, BECAUSE SOMEONE WILL PUT A BID ON TOP OF YOURS!
Emmy Silverman, Program Chairperson

Our Next General Meeting-Thurs, Feb 07, 2013
The Meeting Begins At 7:30 pm In Our Regular Meeting Room At:
Northridge United Methodist Church
9650 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324
Guests Are Always Welcome At Our Meetings & Events.