Gold
GOLD
Gold (Au) is a soft gold coloured metal that has the atomic number 79 in the periodic table. It is a Transition metal in Group 11. It has the symbol Au.
Gold is a precious metal that is found uncombined and naturally in the earth’s crust. It is often purified using cyanide and mercury meaning its production produces a lot of waste. Gold is used in coins and jewelry due to its malleability and attractive colour. It is also used as a heat shield on space craft due to its excellent reflective ability. Gold flake has been used in food production and is safe to eat. Gold is a metal that has been treasured by humans for years. It’s exact discovery is unknown but it can be traced back to Bulgaria in the year 4500BC where a number of gold objects were crafted. Gold was prized by the Egyptians and Romans. It was also the focus of the work of many alchemists who believed they could make gold by mixing mercury and sulfur. It is a solid metal at room temperature with a melting point of 1064°c and a boiling point of 2700°c.
FAQ's
Known to the ancients.
1848
Uses
Very malleable. Used in electronics, jewelry and coins. It is a good reflector of infrared radiation, so a thin film of gold is applied to the glass of skyscrapers to reduce internal heating from sunlight.
Sources
Found in veins in the crust, with cooper ore and native .
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Au
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