On the periodic table, silver is the most electrically conductive metal at room temperature.
Silver has atomic number 47 and the symbol Ag, from the Latin argentum. Its electrical conductivity is higher than that of copper, gold and aluminium under comparable conditions. Silver is therefore an important reference point in discussions of metallic conductivity.
Despite its superior conductivity, silver is not used for most household wiring because it is much more expensive than copper. It is used where performance or specialized contacts justify the cost, including some electronic and electrical applications.
Silver also reflects visible light strongly and has long been used in jewelry, coins and photographic chemistry. Electrical conductivity can vary with purity, temperature and measurement conditions, so the comparison normally assumes pure metals near room temperature.