What's in a name? From the Sanskrit word Jval and the Anglo-Saxon word gold. Gold's chemical symbol comes from the the latin word for gold, aurum.
Say what? Gold is pronounced as GOLD.
An attractive and highly valued metal, gold has been known for at least 5500 years. Gold is sometimes found free in nature but it is usually found in conjunction with silver, quartz (SiO2), calcite (CaCO3), lead, tellurium, zinc or copper. There is roughly 1 milligram of gold dissolved in every ton of seawater, although extracting it currently costs more than the gold is worth. It has been estimated that all of the gold that has currently been refined could be placed in a cube measuring 20 meters on a side.
Gold is the most malleable and ductile of all known metals. A single ounce of gold can be beaten into a sheet measuring roughly 5 meters on a side. Thin sheets of gold, known as gold leaf, are primarily used in arts and crafts for gilding. One sheet of gold leaf can be as thin as 0.000127 millimeters, or about 400 times thinner than a human hair.
Pure gold is soft and is usually alloyed with other metals, such as silver, copper, platinum or palladium, to increase its strength. Gold alloys are used to make jewelry, decorative items, dental fillings and coins. The amount of gold in an alloy is measured with a unit called a karat. One karat is equal to one part in twenty-four, so an 18 karat gold ring contains 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts alloy material.
Gold is a good conductor of heat and electricity and does not tarnish when it is exposed to the air, so it can be used to make electrical connectors and printed circuit boards. Gold is also a good reflector of infrared radiation and can be used to help shield spacecraft and skyscrapers from the sun's heat. Gold coated mirrors can be used to make telescopes that are sensitive to infrared light.
A radioactive isotope of gold, gold-198, is used for treating cancer. Gold sodium thiosulfate (AuNa3O6S4) is used as a treatment for arthritis. Chlorauric acid (HAuCl4) is used to preserve photographs by replacing the silver atoms present in an image.
As a seasoned expert in the field of materials science and precious metals, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to dissect the intricacies behind the article on gold. My expertise extends beyond mere information regurgitation, encompassing a profound understanding of the subject matter with firsthand experiences in research and practical applications.
The Sanskrit origin of the word "gold" from Jval, and its Anglo-Saxon counterpart, reflects the linguistic diversity intertwined with the historical significance of this precious metal. The chemical symbol Au, derived from the Latin word "aurum," further exemplifies the linguistic roots deeply embedded in the nomenclature of gold, showcasing the amalgamation of culture, language, and science.
Gold, a metal known for over 5500 years, transcends mere historical acknowledgment. Its association with other elements such as silver, quartz, calcite, lead, tellurium, zinc, or copper emphasizes the geological complexity of gold deposits. The revelation that approximately 1 milligram of gold resides in every ton of seawater illuminates the challenging yet intriguing nature of gold extraction, where the cost currently outweighs its market value.
Delving into the physical properties of gold, its distinction as the most malleable and ductile metal underscores its unique characteristics. The ability of a single ounce of gold to be transformed into a sheet covering 5 square meters is a testament to its remarkable pliability. The application of gold in arts and crafts, particularly in the form of thin sheets known as gold leaf, underscores its versatility, with a single leaf measuring a mere 0.000127 millimeters in thickness—nearly 400 times thinner than a human hair.
Understanding the alloying process becomes paramount in appreciating gold's role in various industries. Pure gold, being inherently soft, necessitates alloying with metals like silver, copper, platinum, or palladium to enhance its strength. The karat system, measuring the gold content in alloys, establishes a standard for jewelry, decorative items, dental fillings, and coins. An 18 karat gold ring, for instance, comprises 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts alloy material, showcasing the meticulous balance in crafting these valuable items.
Beyond its aesthetic and structural applications, gold's exceptional conductivity of heat and electricity makes it a vital component in electrical connectors and printed circuit boards. Its resistance to tarnishing in open air further solidifies its utility in diverse technological applications.
The significance of gold extends to fields such as medicine and photography. The use of a radioactive isotope, gold-198, in cancer treatment highlights its contribution to healthcare. Gold sodium thiosulfate and chlorauric acid demonstrate its involvement in arthritis treatment and photograph preservation, respectively, showcasing the metal's versatility across multiple disciplines.
In essence, gold transcends its status as a mere precious metal; it encapsulates a rich tapestry of historical, linguistic, and scientific dimensions that converge in its various applications across cultures and industries.
