Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and atomic number 79. It is a bright yellow, malleable, and ductile metal and is the most malleable of all metals. It is a transition metal, and its group is 11. Gold is one of the least reactive of all elements and is not affected by most acids.
It is insoluble in nitric acid, which dissolves silver and base metals, a property that has long been used to refine gold and to confirm the presence of Gold in metallic objects, giving rise to the term acid test.
Since ancient times, Gold has been used for currency and jewelry. It has been used as a medium of exchange, a store of value, and a unit of account. Gold is also an excellent conductor of electricity, making it useful in electronics and other industries.
It is found in nature in the form of nuggets or flakes, but it is usually extracted from the ground through a process called mining.
It is found in nature in its pure form, usually as a metal alloy, often containing silver and copper. It is found in veins and alluvial deposits. It is also found in seawater, but not in large enough quantities to be economically feasible.
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Gold facts for Kids
- Gold is a chemical element on the periodic table with the symbol Au
- It has the atomic number 79.
- Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity
- A single ounce of Gold can cost $1700
- Throughout history, 142,000 tons of Gold have been mined.
Ancient Times
It has been used since ancient times, for jewelry and in coins. Its use in coins has continued to the present day. It is also used in electronics, medicine, and dentistry. Gold is also used as a hedge against inflation. Gold is a good electrical conductor and is often used in electrical contacts.
Gold is an important industrial commodity and is used in many industries, including jewelry, electronics, aerospace, computers, and more. It is also used as an investment vehicle, with more than half of the world’s total gold production held as investment assets.
Gold has a long history of use in the arts as both a pigment and a medium. It is used in jewelry, coins, and other decorative objects. It is also used in the manufacture of watches, clocks, and scientific instruments. Gold is also used in dentistry for dental fillings and dental crowns.
Used in manufacturing
Gold is also used in the manufacture of catalysts, in the production of semiconductor materials, and in the development of fuel cells. Gold is also used in the manufacture of catalytic converters, as well as in the production of catalytic poisons.
Gold is seen as a safe haven asset and is often used as a store of value. It is also used to hedge against inflation, as its price tends to rise when inflation increases. Gold is also seen as a hedge against geopolitical risks, as its price tends to rise when geopolitical tensions increase.
Used for Saving
Gold is a popular investment vehicle and is often held as a form of savings. It is also used as a hedge against currency fluctuations and stock market volatility. Gold bars are a popular form of collateral and are used by banks and other financial institutions to secure loans. Gold is also used in the manufacture of electronics and is a key component in the production of computer chips.
Gold is a precious metal, and its price is subject to the forces of supply and demand. Gold prices tend to fluctuate with the price of other commodities, such as oil, and with geopolitical events and economic cycles. As Gold is a form of currency, its value is also affected by exchange rates and the strength of the US dollar.
Gold Jewelry
As one of the most valuable and sought-after precious metals in the world, it is a precious metal used in jewelry, coins, and other items of value. The value of Gold is determined by its purity, which is measured in karats. The higher the karat rating of the Gold, the purer it is.
24-karat gold
24-karat Gold is the purest form of Gold, containing 99.9% pure gold. It is also the most expensive type of Gold because it is the purest. 24-karat Gold is often used for coins and investment-grade jewelry, as well as for high-end art and decorative items. It is also the most malleable type of Gold, making it easy to shape into intricate designs.
22-karat gold
22-karat Gold is slightly less pure than 24-karat gold, containing 91.7% pure gold. It is still considered high-quality Gold and is commonly used for jewelry, coins, and other items of value. 22-karat Gold is more durable than 24-karat gold, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear.
18-karat gold
18-karat gold is the least pure form of Gold, containing only 75% pure gold. It is still a valuable form of Gold and is often used for jewelry, coins, and other items of value. 18-karat gold is less expensive than higher-karat Gold, making it a popular choice for people who want to buy Gold but don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Gold jewelry is often made from a combination of different karat golds. For example, 14-karat gold is a common karat rating for jewelry and is made up of 58.3% pure gold, combined with other metals to make it more durable and less expensive.
No matter the karat rating of the Gold, it is always a valuable commodity. Gold has been valued for centuries, and its value is only increasing with time. Whether you’re looking to buy gold jewelry, coins, or other items of value, understanding the different types of Gold can help you make an informed decision.
Gold Mining
Gold mining is the process of extracting Gold from the earth. It’s usually found in its native form, but it can also be found in other forms such as ore, flakes, and nuggets. Gold can be mined by panning, sluicing, dredging, or hard-rock mining.
Refining
Once the gold ore is extracted from the earth, it must be refined. Refining involves melting the gold ore and separating out the impurities. Impurities are removed through a variety of processes, such as smelting, chemical treatment, and electrolysis. After refining, the Gold is in its purest form and is ready for use.
How is Gold used
Gold is used in a variety of industries and for a variety of purposes. It is used extensively in the jewelry industry, where it is used to make rings, bracelets, and other pieces of jewelry. Gold is also used in the electronics industry, where it is used in computer chips and other electronic components. Gold is also used in medicine, as it is used to make implants and other medical devices.
Gold is also used in the aerospace industry, where it is used as a shielding material for spacecraft and other vehicles. Gold is also used in the financial industry, where it is used as a form of currency. Finally, Gold is used in dentistry, where it is used to make crowns and other dental appliances.
The importance of Gold in the global economy
Gold is one of the most important commodities in the global economy and is an integral part of the financial systems of many countries. Gold is seen as a safe-haven asset and has been used as a store of value for centuries. It is used as a form of currency and has been used as an investment and to protect wealth in times of economic crisis.
Gold is also a key component in the international monetary systems and is used to back currencies and help maintain their stability. Gold is seen as an important indicator of economic health, and its price can be used to measure the health of an economy. Therefore, Gold is an essential element of the global economy and its role in the financial systems should not be underestimated.
