General Info

GENERAL INFO

HISTORY

USES

ISOTOPES AND COMPOUNDS

REFERENCES

 

Atomic Number:

79

Atomic Mass:

196.96655 amu

Atomic Symbol:

Au

Melting Point:

1064.18 șC

Boiling Point:

2856 șC

Atomic Radius:

144 pm

Electronic Configuration:

[Xe]6s14f145d10

Group:

11

Period:

6

Series:

Transition Metals

Number of Electrons:

79

Number of Neutrons:

118

Number of Protons:

79

Density in a Natural State:

19300 kg/m3

Natural Abundance

100%

Appearance:

Metallic Yellow

Where is it found?

 As mentioned before, Gold is found in places such as  Egypt, Nubia, the Black Sea, Lydia, South Africa, Australia, South Dakota, and Nevada. Gold occurs in veins and alluvial deposits, and is often separated from rocks and other minerals by mining and panning operations. In the deposits, Gold is always in its shiny, yellow metal state. Gold can also be found in seawater, but as of now there is no way to recover it without spending more money than gained.

How is it obtained?

The metal is recovered from its ores by cyaniding, amalgamating, and smelting processes. Refining is also frequently done by electrolysis.

Chemical Properties and Tendencies:

Gold is most commonly found as a yellow-colored metal, although it may be black, ruby, or purple. Gold is the most malleable and ductile metal. One ounce of gold can be beaten out to 300 ft2! Gold is a good conductor of electricity and heat. It is not affected by exposure to air or to most reagents and chemicals. It is inert and a good reflector of infrared radiation. Gold is usually alloyed to increase its strength, most commonly with other precious metals such as silver and copper.Gold does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine, fluorine and aqua regia.

Structure:

The crystal structure of the gold atom is cubic face centered or cubic close-packed. The gold atom has one electron in the outer most shell. The following images give a visual description of the structure of the gold atom.

Shell Structure:

Crystal Structure:

 

 

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