Difference Between Rhodium and Silver

Main Difference

The main difference between Rhodium and Silver is that Rhodium is a hard metal with high melting and boiling points, whereas Silver is a soft metal with low melting and boiling points.

Rhodium vs. Silver

Rhodium is one of the rarest and precious metals. Silver is the most reflective element. Rhodium is a hard metal, while silver is a soft metal. Rhodium has high melting and boiling points in comparison with silver. Rhodium is the 45th element in the periodic table. The proton number of silver is 47. Rh is the symbol of Rhodium. The chemical formula of silver is Ag. Rhodium has 24 isotopes, and Rh-103 is a stable isotope. Silver has 36 isotopes and two stable isotopes. Rhodium is highly impervious to air. Silver is less impervious to air. Rhodium is expensive than silver.

Rhodium is highly corrosion resistant. The sulfur compounds of silver react with air and wear down with time. Rhodium is an inert metal, whereas silver tends to chemical reactions. Rhodium is hard but can be broken easily, while silver is soft, can be turned into sheets and wires. One of the best use of rhodium is the industrial catalyst and catalytic converts in vehicle engines. Silver is best for mirrors making and digital photography.

Jewelry made of rhodium is resistant to corrosion. The jewelry of silver and sterling silver corrodes readily. Rhodium and its alloy with platinum are ingredients for heart pacemakers. Silver finds its medical usage as dental alloys and pharmaceutical industries. Rhodium is paramagnetic, shows weak magnetic properties. Silver is diamagnetic, which means it is non-magnetic. The primary use of rhodium is in aerospace, automobile, chemical, and electronic industry, whereas the primary use of silver is in chemical, clothing, and electrical industry.

Comparison Chart

What is Rhodium?

The discovery of rhodium is rewarded to a great English chemist William Hyde Wollaston. He separated rhodium from the platinum plate. Rhodium is present along with platinum, extracted from mineral ores, and refining of platinum. Rhodium is a silvery-white reflective metal, highly resistant to corrosion. It is rare and one of the precious metals worldwide. Rhodium belongs from the d-block of the periodic table, having 45 atomic number. Its chemical presentation is Rh. It exists as solid at 25 °C

Rhodium has 24 isotopes and has only stable isotope. Rhodium is a noble metal, which means it does not react with oxygen to form oxides. It is an extraordinary catalyst in chemical reactions. Some of its derivatives are toxic, cause cancer. It is highly impervious to both corrosion and oxidation. Water and air do not pose any effect on rhodium. Rhodium is rarely used alone, mostly its use is in the form of an alloy. Heating can quickly decompose rhodium compounds and convert them in powder form.

Rhodium also finds its medical uses. Its alloy with platinum is used in heart pacemakers. Its primary use is in catalytic converters, reduce nitrogen oxide to clean the vehicle gas emission. Hence, it is an environmentally friendly element. Rhodium plays a role in many industries like aerospace, automobile, chemical, and electronic industry. In the synthesis of nitric acid, acetic acid, and hydrogenation reaction, rhodium is the best catalyst. It is highly resistant to corrosion and possesses less resistance for electricity, hence used as electrical contact material.

What is Silver?

Silver belongs to the 11 group and 5th period of the periodic table. It belongs to d-block in the periodic table, which exists as solid at room temperature. Silver is a shiny and highly reflective soft metal. Its chemical denotation is Ag. Silver occurs as an individual element, sometimes in ores like argentite. It separates from lead, zinc, copper, and gold ores or extracted as a by-product of their mining. Electrolytic refining of copper also produces silver.

Silver wears rapidly as its sulfur compounds react with air, turning it into black silver sulfide. Silver has anti-bacterial property, kills the microorganisms quickly. Argyria is a skin condition that results from the chronic accumulation of silver in the body. Its symptoms include discoloration of body parts, greyish pigmentation of the skin and mucous membrane. Silver is used in the clothing industry, to overcome the sweat disorders in cloths produced by bacteria.

Silver is woven into thread, used for making gloves that reduce the hindrance of using touchscreens. Sterling silver is an alloy made up of silver and copper. It is 92% silver, while another element is copper. Sterling silver is best for jewelry making. Silver is also applicable in electric batteries, dental alloys, and brazing alloys. Silver is the most reflective element used for mirrors, but it is less resistant to corrosion. Because of its sensitivity for light, it finds its scope in digital photography.

Key Differences

Conclusion

Rhodium and Silver are both metals. Rhodium is a rare and precious metal extracted from platinum, characterized as hard and brittle metal. Silver is soft, reflective, and lustrous metal, used for jewelry and mirrors synthesis.

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