Gold

Gold is a chemical element; it has symbol Au (from Latin aurum 'gold') and atomic number 79. In pure form, it is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal, a group 11 element, and one of the noble metals.

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade

Hydrogen

Identity.

Gold is element 79 and its symbol is Au. Though the name is Anglo Saxon, gold originated from the Latin Aurum, or shining dawn, and previously from the Greek. It's abundance in the earth's crust is 0.004 ppm. 100% of gold found naturally is isotope Au-197.

History.

Gold's captivating beauty and unique properties have captivated humanity for millennia. Early evidence of gold's use dates back to 6,000 BC, with civilizations around the world using it for jewelry, adornments, and religious objects.

Egyptians highly revered gold, associating it with the sun god Ra and using it extensively in funerary practices and pharaonic treasures. Romans valued gold for its beauty and durability, using it for coinage and intricate jewelry. Throughout history, gold has served as a symbol of wealth, power, and status

Beyond its ornamental applications, gold's unique properties, including its high malleability, ductility, and resistance to corrosion, have led to diverse industrial and technological uses.

Paracelsus

Usage.

  • Electrical connectors: Gold ensures reliable signal transmission in computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices.
  • Circuit boards: Gold thin films are used in the production of complex electronic circuits.
  • Jewelry: Gold remains lustrous and beautiful for extended periods, making it a popular choice for jewelry making.
Some of the benefits of using gold are:
  • Gold's ability to resist tarnishing and rust makes it suitable for applications requiring long-term durability, such as medical implants and dental fillings. These applications benefit from gold's biocompatibility and resistance to degradation in the body.
  • These properties allow gold to be easily shaped and drawn into thin wires. This characteristic makes it valuable for electrical wires and decorative applications like gold leaf, used for gilding.
  • This property makes gold essential in various electronic components like circuit boards and connectors. It ensures reliable signal transmission in devices like computers and smartphones.

Sources.

Gold is primarily found as the pure, native metal. Sylvanite and calaverite are gold-bearing minerals. Gold is usually found embedded in quartz veins, or placer stream gravel. It is mined in South Africa, the USA (Nevada, Alaska), Russia, Australia and Canada.