Silver has 47 electrons.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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A neutral silver atom possesses 47 protons in its nucleus. To maintain electrical neutrality, it also has 47 electrons orbiting the nucleus.
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The electron configuration of silver is [Kr] 4d10 5s1. This indicates how the 47 electrons are arranged in different energy levels and sublevels around the nucleus.
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The shell structure is 2, 8, 18, 18, 1, meaning the electron shells are populated as follows:
- First shell: 2 electrons
- Second shell: 8 electrons
- Third shell: 18 electrons
- Fourth shell: 18 electrons
- Fifth shell: 1 electron
Therefore, the number of electrons in a silver atom is definitively 47.