Gold

Overview

Gold has been called the most beautiful of all chemical elements. Its beauty has made it
desirable for use in jewelry, coins, and artwork for thousands of years. It was one of the first
pure metals to be used by humans.
Gold is one of the few elements that can affect politics and economics. Wars have been fought
over access to gold. Cities and towns have sprung up and died out as gold was discovered and
then mined out. Many nations still count their wealth according to the amount of gold they keep
in storage.
Gold lies in the middle of the periodic table. The periodic table is a chart that shows how
elements are related to one another. Gold is a heavy metal in a group known as the transition
metals. Gold is also known as a precious metal (as are platinum and silver).

SYMBOL
Au
ATOMIC NUMBER
79
ATOMIC MASS
196.9665
FAMILY
Group 11 (IB)
Transition metal
PRONUNCIATION
GOLD
The chemical symbol for gold is Au. The symbol comes from the Latin word for
gold, aurum. Aurum means "shining dawn."

Physical properties
Gold is both ductile and malleable. Ductile means it can be drawn into thin wires. Malleable
means capable of being hammered into thin sheets. A piece of gold weighing only 20 grams
(slightly less than an ounce) can be hammered into a sheet that will cover more than 6 square

meters (68 square feet). The sheet will be only 0.00025 centimeters (one ten-thousandth of an
inch) thick. Gold foil of this thickness is often used to make the lettering on window signs.
Gold is quite soft. It can usually be scratched by a penny. Its melting point is 1,064.76C
(1,948.57F) and its boiling point is about 2,700C (4,900F). Its density is 19.3 grams per cubic
centimeter.
Two other important properties are its reflectivity and lack of electrical resistance. Both heat and
light reflect off gold very well. But an electric current passes through gold very easily.

Chemical properties
Generally speaking, gold is not very reactive. It does not combine with oxygen or dissolve in
most acids. It does not react with halogens, such as chlorine or bromine , very easily.
These chemical properties also account for some important uses of gold. Gold coins, for
example, do not corrode (rust) or tarnish very easily. Neither does jewelry or artwork made of
gold.

Isotopes
There is only one naturally occurring isotope of gold, gold-197. Isotopes are two or more forms
of an element. Isotopes differ from each other according to their mass number. The number
written to the right of the element's name is the mass number. The mass number represents the
number of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus of an atom of the element. The number of
protons determines the element, but the number of neutrons in the atom of any one element can
vary. Each variation is an isotope.
About two dozen radioactive isotopes of gold are known also. A radioactive isotope is one that
breaks apart and gives off some form of radiation. Radioactive isotopes are produced when very
small particles are fired at atoms. These particles stick in the atoms and make them radioactive.
One radioactive isotope of gold is widely used in medicine, gold-198. This isotope has two major
uses. First, it can be used to study the liver. It is made into a form known as colloidal gold.
Colloidal gold consists of very fine particles of gold mixed in a liquid solution. The colloidal gold
is injected into the patient's body, where it travels to the liver. There, it can be detected because
of the radiation it gives off. The radiation can be used to tell if the liver is functioning normally or
not.
Colloidal gold is also used to treat medical problems. In some forms of cancer, the body
develops large amounts of liquid in the space around the stomach and intestines
(the peritoneum). One way to treat this collection of liquid is with colloidal gold. The colloidal
gold is injected into the peritoneum. While in the peritoneum, the colloidal gold gives off
radiation. The radiation kills cancer cells that cause the accumulation of fluid.

Extraction
There are at least two main ways to remove gold from its ores. One is to mix an ore
with mercury metal. Mercury combines with gold in the ore to form an amalgam. An amalgam is
a mixture of two or more metals, one of which is mercury. The gold amalgam is then removed
from the ore. It is heated to drive off the mercury. Pure gold remains.

Measuring gold
It uses the troy system. In the troy system, one pound contains only 12 ounces. So, a pound of
feathers (avoirdupois system) weighs four ounces more than a pound of gold (troy system). The
weight of other precious metals, like silver and platinum, are also measured using the troy
system.
Gold is also weighed in carats. A carat is defined as one fifth of a gram, or 200 milligrams.
Gold is seldom used in a pure form. The metal is too soft. It would bend or break if used pure.
Instead, it is used in combination with other metals called alloys. An alloy is a mixture of two or
more metals. The mixture has properties different from those of the individual metals.
The amount of gold in an alloy is expressed in carats. Pure gold metal (mixed with no other
metal) is said to be 24-carat gold. An alloy that contains 20 parts of gold and 4 parts of silver is
20-carat gold. The "20-carat" designation means the alloy contains 20 parts of gold and 4 parts
of something else (silver, in this case).

Because of the softness of pure (24k) gold, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewelry,
altering its hardness and ductility, melting point, color and other properties. Alloys with lower carat
rating, typically 22k, 18k, 14k or 10k, contain higher percentages of copper or other base metals or
silver or palladium in the alloy. Copper is the most commonly used base metal, yielding a redder
color.

gold become a gas. Any element can become a gas; you just need to heat it past its boiling point.
For gold, thats 2,856 degrees Celsius (5,173 degrees Fahrenheit), which is hotter than the
temperature in an arc furnace so its difficult to just boil a bar of gold. But you can create small
amounts of gold gas by bombarding it with a high-energy beam of electrons in a vacuum. This
knocks atoms of gold free from the solid mass and theyll fly around and coat anything in the vacuum
chamber. Electron beam vapour deposition is used to create very thin gold coatings for the
electronics, medical and space industries. Gold coatings can also be used as a lubricant in
machinery.
The structure of liquid gold is now well-established. X-ray studies of the liquid phase show that
gold may be classified with other typical metals as having a structure best described in terms of
random close-packed assemblies of spherical atoms (the hard-sphere model). According to this

model the liquid is essentially a disordered version of the crystal structure in the metallic solid,
which is also close-packed. This disordering, or absence of long-range order, in the liquid gives
rise to a change in density. When the densities of liquid and solid gold are compared at the
freezing point, 1064C, the greater density of the solid, 18.2 g cm3compared with 17.3 for
liquid gold (6), shows that gold, like any typical metal, must shrink on freezing. For gold the
percentage volume change on solidification is 5.1 per cent.
Gold has only one stable isotope, 197Au, which is also its only naturally occurring isotope. Thirty-six
radio isotopes have been synthesized ranging in atomic mass from 169 to 205. The most stable of
these is 195Au with a half-life of 186.1 days. The least stable is 171Au, which decays by proton emission
with a half-life of 30 s. Gold has been called the most beautiful of all chemical elements. Its
beauty has made it desirable for use in jewelry, coins, and artwork for thousands of years. It was
one of the first pure metals to be used by humans. Large amounts of gold are still used in the
manufacture of coins, medals, jewelry, and art. Gold also has a number of uses in industry,
medicine, and other applications. For example, one radioactive isotope of gold is commonly
used to treat cancer.

Stable gold nanoparticles have been prepared by using soluble starch as both the reducing and
stabilizing agents; this reaction was carried out at 40 C for 5 h. The obtained gold nanoparticles
were characterized by UVVis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) and z-scan technique. The size of these nanoparticles was found to be in the range of
1222 nm as analyzed using transmission electron micrographs. The optical properties of gold
nanoparticles have been measured showing the surface plasmon resonance. The second-order
nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were investigated by using a continuous-wave (CW) HeNe
laser beam with a wavelength of 632.8 nm at three different incident intensities by means of
single beam techniques. The nonlinear refractive indices of gold nanoparticles were obtained
from close aperture z-scan in order of 107 cm2/W. Then, they were compared with diffraction
patterns observed in far-field. The nonlinear absorption of these nanoparticles was obtained
from open aperture z-scan technique. The values of nonlinear absorption coefficient are
obtained in order of 101 cm/W.
From the analysis of the X-ray Debye-Scherrer lines of the fine gold particles of which sizes are
in a range from 60 to 230 , it was found that the thermal expansion coefficient as well as the
lattice parameter are not different from those of the bulk crystal, while the characteristic
temperature decreases monotonously with the decrease of the particle size. The particle size
dependence of the characteristic temperature can be explained by introducing two characteristic
temperatures core and shell, on the assumption that the particles are composed of the core and
the shell. core and shell were found in good agreement with the characteristic temperature for the
bulk crystal and that for the surface obtained by LEED experiment, respectively.
Use of metal nanoparticle colloidal solutions in conjunction with radiofrequency (RF) waves has
recently drawn attention as a possible means to deposit heat in a local confined space for
cancer therapy. We investigated the heating effect of gold nanoparticle (Au-NP) colloids in the
presence of RF electromagnetic wave, and explored the possible role of Au-NPs in RF energy
absorption. Contrary to the previously-taken assumption in this field, we found that Au
nanoparticles do not contribute to RF energy absorption. Au-NPs were physically separated
from the colloidal solutions via centrifugation, and RF heating and electrical conductivity
measurements were performed. The results show that the dominant mechanism of RF-

radiation-to-thermal conversion is due to the Joule heating via ionic conduction in the electrolyte
solutions.

Avogadro's number, the number of particles in a mole, can be experimentally determined by first
"counting" the number of atoms in a smaller space and then scaling up to find the number of
particles that would have a mass equal to the atomic or molecular mass in grams. Here is some
real data from which Avogadro's number can be determined.
X-Ray diffraction studies show that gold consists of a repeating atomic arrangement where the
repeating unit (called a cell unit) is a cube containing 4 gold atoms. Each side of the cube has a
length of 4.08x10-8 cm. The density of gold is 19.3 g / cm3 and its atomic mass is 197.
Nuclear Radius

The radius of a gold-197 nucleus

is 6.87 1015 m.

(i) Show that the density of this nucleus is about 2.4 10 17 kg m3.

mass = 197 x 1.67 x 10-27

= 3.29 x 10-25 kg

volume = 4/3 (r3) = 4 x (6.87 1015)3 /3

= 1.39 x 10-42 m3

density = mass/volume = 2.4 1017 kg m-3

For gold, Z = 79. Solving gives d ~ 3 10-14 m. Compare this with the diameter of gold atoms
~ 3 10-10 m. So a nucleus is at least 10 000 times smaller than an atom. It is important to
emphasise that this calculation gives an upper limit on the size of the gold nucleus; we cannot
say that the alpha particle touches the nucleus; a more energetic a might get closer still.
An atom is mostly empty (which is why most as went straight through any electrons would
hardly impede the relatively massive high speed a).

bond energy of the gold:

Gold and Newtons First Law of Motion

Since the start of the decade gold has been in a strong secular bull market in which it has had
only one negative year (2001) while the S&P 500 has had four. Golds strong performance has
produced a cumulative return of 311.54% for an annualized return of 15.18% per annum this
decade. In stark contrast, the S&P 500 has been in a secular bear market in which its
cumulative return has been a negative 24.52% for a negative 2.77% annualized return. While
gold has had periods of volatility (risk), what the above numbers indicate is that gold has had a
superior investment profile relative to the stock market in which it has had consistent positive
returns with less risk associated with those returns. According to Newtons first law of motion, an
object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by another force, all bearish forces
have proven too weak to buck golds secular bull market, and that trend will likely continue for
years to come.

Bombardment reaction
Usually gold is created from platinum, which has one less proton than gold, or from mercury,
which has one more proton than gold. Bombarding a platinum or mercury nucleus with neutrons
can knock off an neutron or add on a neutron, which through natural radioactive decay can lead
to gold. As should be obvious by this production process, much of the gold created from other
elements is radioactive. Radioactive gold is hazardous to humans and cannot be sold
commercially.
Valence Orbitals

Gold's Yellow Color

Most metals are shiny because the electrons in the atoms jump from different energy levels, or
"orbitals." Some photons that hit the metal get absorbed and re-emitted, though at a longer
wavelength. Most visible light, though, just gets reflected.
Gold is a heavy atom, so the inner electrons are moving fast enough that the relativistic mass
increase is significant, as well as the length contraction. As a result, the electrons are spinning
around the nucleus in shorter paths, with more momentum. Electrons in the inner orbitals carry
energy that is closer to the energy of outer electrons, and the wavelengths that get absorbed
and reflected are longer. Longer wavelengths of light mean that some of the visible light that
would usually just be reflected gets absorbed, and that light is in the blue end of the spectrum.
White light is a mix of all the colors of the rainbow, but in gold's case, when light gets absorbed
and re-emitted the wavelengths are usually longer. That means the mix of light waves we see
tends to have less blue and violet in it. This makes gold appear yellowish in color since yellow,
orange and red light is a longer wavelength than blue.

Gold Doesn't Corrode Easily

The relativistic effect on gold's electrons is also one reason that the metal doesn't
corrode or react with anything else easily.
Gold has only one electron in its outer shell, but it still is not as reactive as calcium or
lithium. Instead, the electrons in gold, being "heavier" than they should be, are all held
closer to the atomic nucleus. This means that the outermost electron isn't likely to be in
a place where it can react with anything at all it's just as likely to be among its fellow
electrons that are close to the nucleus.

Nuclear Disintegration
Since there is only one stable gold isotope, 197Au, nuclear reactions must create this isotope in
order to produce usable gold.

Gold synthesis in a particle accelerator is possible in many ways. The Spallation Neutron
Source has a liquid mercury target that will be transmuted into gold, platinum, and iridium, which
are lower in atomic number.[citation needed]
Gold was first synthesized from mercury by neutron bombardment in 1941, but the isotopes of
gold produced were all radioactive.
Gold can currently be manufactured in a nuclear reactor by irradiation either of platinum or
mercury.
Only the mercury isotope 196Hg, which occurs with a frequency of 0.15% in natural mercury,
can be converted to gold by neutron capture, and following electron capture-decay into 197Au
with slow neutrons. Other mercury isotopes are converted when irradiated with slow neutrons
into one another or formed mercury isotopes, which beta decay into thallium.
Using fast neutrons, the mercury isotope 198Hg, which composes 9.97% of natural mercury,
can be converted by splitting off a neutron and becoming 197Hg, which then disintegrates to
stable gold. This reaction, however, possesses a smaller activation cross-section and is feasible
only with un-moderated reactors.
It is also possible to eject several neutrons with very high energy into the other mercury isotopes
in order to form 197Hg. However such high-energy neutrons can be produced only by particle
accelerators

Gold (by crystallization) is generally immediately available in most volumes.

American Elements produces to many standard grades when applicable,
including Mil Spec (military grade); ACS, Reagent and Technical Grade; Food,
Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Grade; Optical
Grade, USP and EP/BP (European Pharmacopoeia/British Pharmacopoeia) and
follows applicable ASTM testing standards. Typical and custom packaging is
available. See safety data and research below and pricing/lead time above. We
also produce Gold asrod, pellets, powder, pieces, granules, ingot, wire, and in
compound forms, such as oxide. Other shapes are available by request.

Gold (atomic symbol: Au, atomic number: 79) is a Block D, Group 11, Period
6 element with an atomic weight of 196.966569. The number of electrons in each
of Gold's shells is 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 and its electron configuration is [Xe]

4f142 5d10 6s1.

The gold atom has a radius of 144 pm and a Van der

Waals radius of 217 pm. Gold was first discovered by Early Man prior to 6000
B.C. In its elemental form, gold has a metallic yellow appearance.

Gold

is a soft metal and is usuallyalloyed to give it more strength. It is a good

conductor of heat and electricity, and is unaffected by air and most reagents. It is
one of the least reactive chemical elements. Gold is often found as a free
element and with silver as a gold silver alloy. Less commonly, it is found in
minerals as gold compounds, usually with tellurium. For more information on
gold, including properties, safety data, research, and American Elements' catalog
of gold products, visit the Gold element page.

CHEMI
CAL
IDENTI
FIER

CA
Form
S
ula
No.

Au

PubC
hem
SID

PubC
hem
CID

744
0- 24882
23985
57773
5

MDL No.

E
C
No

MFCD000
03436

23
116
59

Beilst SMIL
ein
ES
InChI
Re. Identi Identifier
No.
fier

N/A

[Au]

InChI=1
S/Au

InChI
Key

PCHJSUWPFV
WCPOUHFFFAOYSAN

Ten
Mol
Melti
Appea Den sile
.
ng
rance sity Stre
Wt.
Point
ngth

PROPE
RTIES
19.
196
3
Yellow
.97
gm/
cc

N/A

He
Boil Therm Elect
Spe Heat
at
ing
al
rical Eletrone cific
of
MS
of
Poi Condu Resis gativity Hea Vapori
DS
Fus
nt
ctivity tivity
t
zation
ion

81.8
0.30
2.214
K3.18
8
micro
Cal/g
W/cm/
Cal/
1064. 308
hm2.4
m
K@
g/K
43C 0C
cm Paulings
atom
298.2
@
@
at
K
25
20C
3080
C
C

3.0
3
Cal
/gm
mol
e

Saf
ety
Dat
a
Sh
eet