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Gold: Definition, Properties, and Applications

Last Updated on Jul 17, 2025
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Gold has always been a symbol of wealth and beauty. From ancient coins and royal crowns to modern jewelry and electronics, this shiny yellow metal has been valued for centuries. But gold is more than just a pretty metal; it has unique properties that make it useful in many fields. In this article, we’ll explore what gold is, its properties, different forms, and uses in real life. Let’s scroll down to learn all about gold.

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What is Gold?

Gold is a member of the noble metal family, gold is a beautiful and expensive metal whose name is derived from the Latin aurum, meaning gold. It has the atomic symbol ‘Au’ and does not interact with other substances or elements. Due to its soft nature, 24 carats in designation and alloys with other metals are pure gold. Only Au-197 isotopes are stable. It may be discovered naturally in veins and alluvial deposits in the free form and combined with calcite, quartz, silver, lead, zinc, and copper. Approximately 1500 pounds of gold are extracted annually. Auric chloride and chloroauric acid are the most prevalent gold derivatives. Aqua regia is a solution that combines one component of nitric acid with three parts of hydrochloric acid (because it dissolved gold, the King of Metals). Air and most reagents have little effect on it.

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Atomic Structure of Gold

It is a d-block element having group number 11 and period number 6. The number of gold electrons, protons, and neutrons is 79, 79, and 118, respectively.

Electronic Configuration of Gold 

In an atom, the electrons orbit the nucleus on various shells. The electronic configuration of an element is defined as the number of electrons in each of its shells. Gold has the electronic configuration

The gold atom’s electrons per shell may be expressed more succinctly as 2,8,18,32,18,1. Gold’s valency ranges from (-1) to +5, with +1 and +3 being the most frequent values. Gold has valency 1 and 3 which are stable.

Physical Properties of Gold

Property

Description

Color

Bright, shiny yellow that stays the same over time.

Density

Very heavy metal (19.3 g/cm³), feels solid even in small pieces.

Melting Point

Melts at 1064°C — needs high heat to become liquid.

Boiling Point

Boils at 2856°C — much higher than most metals.

Malleability

Very soft and can be beaten into thin sheets without breaking.

Ductility

Can be stretched into thin wires; useful in electronics and decorations.

Conductivity

Excellent conductor of electricity and heat — better than most other metals.

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Chemical Properties of Gold

Property

Description 

Reactivity

Gold is very stable and doesn’t react easily with air, water, or most chemicals.

Resistance to Corrosion

Doesn’t rust or get dull; stays shiny for years.

Oxidation States

Commonly shows +1 and +3 when forming compounds.

Reaction with Acids

Not affected by normal acids, but dissolves in aqua regia (a special acid mix).

Types of Gold Based on Purity

Type of Gold

Purity

Description 

24K Gold

99.9% pure

Purest form of gold; very soft, not used much in jewelry as it bends easily.

22K Gold

91.6% pure

Common in Indian jewelry; strong enough to make ornaments, but still quite soft.

18K Gold

75% pure

Mixed with other metals for extra strength; used in jewelry and watches.

Gold Alloys

Varies (less than 18K)

Gold mixed with metals like copper or silver; used for durability and color variety.

Occurrence of Gold

Gold is an element that occurs naturally. It is present in low amounts across all igneous rocks. Its abundance in the crust of the Earth is thought to be 0.005 parts per million. It mostly happens in its natural condition. Except for tellurium, selenium, and bismuth, it is often chemically pure. Au-197 is the only isotope of this metal that is found naturally.

Even though the amount of gold present can occasionally be quite little, it is easily removed as a byproduct while processing these base metals. Gold also occurs in combination with deposits of copper and lead. Large quantities of gold-bearing rock that are sufficiently rich to be considered ores are extremely rare.

Uses of Gold

Gold has been one of the precious metal and element known and due to its various properties it has been used in various fields which are discussed below:

  • Jewellery, glass, electronics, and bouillon are all made of gold. About 75% of all gold produced is used in jewellery. Different metals are alloyed with it. Gold for jewellery can have a variety of colours (white, red, blue, green, etc.).
  • Glass may be colored red or purple by adding colloidal gold, and big building windows can be coated with metallic gold to reflect solar heat. The electronic industry uses gold electroplating to shield copper components and enhance solderability.
  • Gold coins are occasionally used as legal cash and a means of exchange in certain nations.
  • For needlework, gold is transformed into a thread.
  • In addition, gold is used in pharmaceuticals. Body cancers are treated with the radioactive isotope Au-198 of this substance.
  • Astronaut helmets are covered with a thin coating of gold to shield them from UV rays.
  • To mimic the sun’s heat, a thin layer of this metal is applied to the windows of a big structure.
  • In large-scale chemical processes that produce chemicals like polyvinyl acetate, the colloidal suspension of gold nanoparticles serves as an industrial catalyst.

Side Effects of Gold

Some of the ill-effects of gold has been listed below:

  • Resulting from exposure Inhalation: If exposure is prolonged or excessive, it may irritate. Ingestion: No negative consequences are anticipated. Skin: May cause allergic response and itchiness—eye: Potentially irritating.
  • Chrysoteraphy, a therapeutic method, uses gold to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is prescribed when non-steroid anti-inflammatories are not working to provide relief.
  • Gold’s ecotoxicity has not been examined. The biodegradation of gold in aerobic circumstances is anticipated to be relatively poor, and there is no proof that its discharge into the environment causes ecological issues. It is thought that gold has few bioaccumulation and bioavailability features because it is insoluble.

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FAQs

The atomic number of gold is 79.

Gold has stable valencies of 1 and 3.

Three types of gold are available on the contemporary jewelry market: rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold. 1) True Gold Pure gold, often known as 24-karat gold, is a metal that contains just gold. 2) Alloys of yellow gold: Yellow gold alloys have a similar appearance to pure gold but are created by combining them with silver and zinc.3) Alloys of colored gold. Yellow gold alloys and colored gold alloys are comparable.

The melting point of gold is found to be 1062 { }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}

The symbol of gold is Au.

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