Forged in Fire – The Story of AU
Atomic number 79, Au, goes by the common name gold. It is derived from the Latin word Aurum. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), gold was discovered in approximately 3,000 BC, and the name is derived from the Anglo-Saxons. Interestingly, gold has a melting point of 1,064.18°C, or 1,947.52°F. The boiling point of gold is 2,836 degrees Celsius or 5,137°F. It has a 19.3 g/cm³ density and a relative atomic mass of 196.967. Scientific elements aside, let’s look at the use cases of gold.
Unbeknownst to many, gold has myriad uses, most of which fall well beyond beautification (jewelry, decorative elements, and aesthetic value). Given its rarity, luster, and splendor, gold is considered one of the most desirable precious metals in the world. It is a sun symbol from the mythology of gold and our solar system’s sun. With its characteristic softness and yellow hue, gold is chemically unreactive, although it is dissolvable in hydrochloric and nitric acid.
Diverse Applications of Gold
For the most part, gold is mined and retained in storage vaults as gold bullion. However, it has widespread applications and usage properties in jewelry, electronics, and as a store of value. It comes in several purity forms – 9, 18, and 24-karat gold. The higher the karat value, the softer the metal and the purer it is. Gold is typically beaten and rolled into fine sheets in engravings and artistic sculptures for decorative purposes. This is known as gold leaf.
Gold can also be used in electroplating, where metals can be covered with superfine layers of gold. This is typically found in electrical connectors, artificial limb joints, affordable jewelry, and watch gears. Cutting-edge technology – industrial catalysts normally contain nanoparticles of gold. From a biological point of view, gold is non-toxic and has no biological value.
Interestingly, gold’s fiery allure has also inspired technologically creative ventures like the Burning Classics slot, a social casino game that uses virtual gold coins as currency. The game’s design reflects the smoldering essence of gold, with embers and flames evoking the precious metal’s fiery origins.
Moreover, the semiconductors powering these immersive experiences rely on gold’s excellent conductivity. Gold-coated connectors and circuitry allow players to enjoy seamless gameplay in social gaming hubs. Much like the actual metal, the gameplay captures the thrill of fire and transformation, offering a virtual nod to the alchemy of turning gold into a source of entertainment.
For the gold prospectors out there, gold is a naturally occurring element. It is found worldwide, notably in specific geographic regions like South Africa, Russia, Canada, and the United States. When gold is discovered, it occurs in alluvial deposits. Every year, an estimated 1,500 metric tons of gold are mined. 67% of these gold deposits emanate from South Africa.
The balance comes from Russia. According to scientific analysis, ocean water contains approximately 4 g of gold per 1 million metric tons. The low concentration of gold in the ocean makes it nearly impossible to reclaim gold reserves this way.
Gold Production, Refining, and Industrial Uses
In terms of overall supply, three major global producers of gold exist, notably China, Australia, and the United States. The top-ranking reserve holders of gold include Russia, Australia, and South Africa. Based on data collated from Encyclopaedia Britannica, the color of gold is a direct byproduct of the electronic structure of the atom found within gold.
It absorbs electromagnetic radiation, reflecting waves at a higher Angstrom (> 5600). It has a face-centered cubic crystalline structure, with malleability properties allowing it to be molded and shaped into innumerable structures sans metalworking tools.
Gold Ore has exogenetic and endogenetic origins. Alluvial gold deposits form through the weathering actions of temperature variations on rocks containing gold, wind, rain, and the elements. Alluvial deposits of gold are created through these mechanisms.
In terms of gold extraction and refining, it’s worth pointing out that it is soluble in mercury, and it goes through an amalgamation process when a slurry of gold ore is poured over copper
plates infused with mercury. Cyanidation is responsible for the recovery of the majority of gold. It is oxidized and then dissolved in a cyanide solution. The gold-bearing solution is separated from the solid component after completely dissolving the gold.
After cyanidation, gold-bearing ores go through extraction from refractory ores. Further refining takes place, including that of gold scrap. From an industrial usage perspective – pure gold is simply a store of value for the monetary supply. However, while touted during the last century, the gold standard has no practical applications today.
It is essential to point out that gold bullion reserves exist at the Federal Reserve Bank and Reserve Banks worldwide. And yes, beautiful jewelry presents the most pervasive use case for gold, although it is increasingly used in electronics, notably computer circuitry for superconductivity on semiconductor silicon chips. It is not a catalyst, given its chemical stability – but it can be used as a substrate for platinum catalysts.
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