Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and atomic number 79. It is a dense, soft, shiny, and highly malleable metal. Gold has been prized for its beauty, rarity, and value for thousands of years and is used in jewelry, currency, and as a symbol of wealth.
Basic Information
- Symbol: Au
- Atomic Number: 79
- Atomic Mass: 196.96657 u
- Category: Transition metal
- Group: 11
- Period: 6
- Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Color: Metallic yellow
- Melting Point: 1,064°C
- Boiling Point: 2,700°C
- Density: 19.32 g/cm3
- Hardness: 2.5 on the Mohs scale
- Highly malleable and ductile
- Does not react with most chemicals, but can form compounds with cyanide and halogens
Occurrence and Uses
Gold is found in nature as nuggets or grains in rocks, rivers, and alluvial deposits. It is also found in the form of compounds in ores such as pyrite and calaverite. The primary uses of gold include:
- Jewelry and ornaments
- Currency and investment
- Electronics (due to its excellent conductivity)
- Medical applications (e.g., in dentistry)
Study Guide
To study gold effectively, consider the following key points:
- Understand the basic properties and characteristics of gold, including its atomic number, mass, and electron configuration.
- Learn about the physical and chemical properties of gold, such as its color, melting and boiling points, density, and reactivity.
- Explore the occurrence of gold in nature and its extraction from ores.
- Examine the various uses of gold in different industries and applications.
- Review the historical significance and cultural importance of gold throughout human civilization.
◂Chemistry Worksheets and Study Guides High School. Gases
The resources above cover the following skills:
Physical Science
Energy - A. Energy is involved in all physical and chemical processes. It is conserved, and can be transformed from one form to another and into work. At the atomic and nuclear levels energy is not continuous but exists in discrete amounts. Energy and mass are related through Einstein's equation E=mc 2 . B. The properties of atomic nuclei are responsible for energy-related phenomena such as radioactivity, fission and fusion. C. Changes in entropy and energy that accompany chemical reactions influence reaction paths. Chemical reactions result in the release or absorption of energy. D. The theory of electromagnetism explains that electricity and magnetism are closely related. Electric charges are the source of electric fields. Moving charges generate magnetic fields. E. Waves are the propagation of a disturbance. They transport energy and momentum but do not transport matter.
Relate temperature to the average molecular kinetic energy.