Element

Gold Element Properties and Information

Published September 1, 2022 · Updated September 1, 2022

Gold Element Properties and Information

Gold is 79^th element on the periodic table. Elements are arranged in the periodic table on the basis of the atomic number. Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Gold has an atomic number of 79. It is located in the Group 11 and Period 6 of the periodic table of elements. It is denoted by the symbol ‘Au’. The name comes from its Anglo-Saxon name and the symbol comes from its Latin name.

The gold has been known and used by humankind since 3000 BC. The minting of gold began around 640 BC in the Kingdom of Lydia. Gold coins in its purest form were used from 561-547 BC.

Gold is one of the few elements which are found in nature in elemental form. It is maily mined from veins and alluvial deposits. Seawater contains 4 grams of gold in about a million tonnes of water, and a efficient method of extraction of gold from seawater has not been developed yet.

Physical Properties

Gold has a slightly reddish-yellow appearance as opposed to other metals which appear silver or gray.
The atomic mass of gold is 196.9.
The melting point of gold is 1062°C.
The boiling point of gold is 2000°C.
The density of gold is 19300 in S.I. units at 20°C.
Gold is most malleable among all metals.
Gold is good conductor of electricity and heat.
Gold has only one stable isotope, gold-197.

Chemical Properties

Gold compounds display oxidation states ranging from -1 to +5.
Gold does not react to oxygen at any temperature.
Gold is resistant to attack from ozone upto 100°C.
Gold gets easily attacked by Fluorine.
Gold does not react with most acids; sulfuric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, selenic acid.
Gold gets dissolved by Aqua-Regia which is a 1:3 mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid.

Methods of Production

Extraction & Refining: Gold is refined using the Wohlwill process which is based on Electrolysis. It yields gold in very high purity, more than 99.999%.

Relevance in Chemical and Related Industries

Cyanide process: Gold is attacked with alkaline solution of potassium to form salt gold cyanide. This is used in the cyanide process to extract metallic gold from ores.

Relevance in Other Industries

Monetary use: Gold is used as a substitute for money, a manner of indirect exchange. It is used as money worldwide to store wealth in hoards.
Jewellery: Gold is alloyed with base metals to be used in jewelleries.
Electronics: Gold is used in corrosion free electrical connectors.