Gold

Definition

Gold is a precious, dense, and highly valued metal that has been prized throughout human history for its unique properties and applications. It is a transition metal that is widely used in various industries, from jewelry and electronics to medicine and dentistry.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gold is a dense, soft, and malleable metal with a characteristic yellow color, which is due to its electronic structure.
2. Gold is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, making it an excellent material for use in jewelry, electronics, and medical applications.
3. Gold is a good conductor of electricity and heat, which makes it useful in electronic devices and as a heat reflector.
4. Gold is found in the Earth's crust, primarily in the form of gold nuggets or flakes, and is extracted through mining and refining processes.
5. The periodic table classifies gold as a transition metal, which means it has partially filled d-orbitals and exhibits variable oxidation states.

Review Questions

• Explain how the periodic table classification of gold as a transition metal relates to its properties and uses.
  • As a transition metal, gold has partially filled d-orbitals, which allows it to exhibit variable oxidation states, typically +1 or +3. This versatility in oxidation states contributes to gold's unique chemical properties and wide range of applications. The transition metal classification also means that gold has a high density, is malleable and ductile, and is a good conductor of electricity and heat, making it valuable in electronics, jewelry, and other industries.
• Describe how the electrochemical properties of gold, such as its low electronegativity and tendency to form positive ions, contribute to its use in galvanic cells.
  • Gold's low electronegativity and ability to form positive ions (+1 or +3 oxidation states) are key factors in its use in galvanic cells, also known as voltaic cells or electrochemical cells. In a galvanic cell, the difference in the reduction potentials between the anode (where oxidation occurs) and the cathode (where reduction occurs) generates an electric current. Gold's low electronegativity and tendency to form positive ions allow it to act as a cathode material, where it undergoes reduction, enabling the flow of electrons and the generation of an electric current in the cell.
• Analyze how the periodic trends in the properties of gold, such as its atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity, contribute to its unique position and behavior among the transition metals.
  • The periodic trends in gold's atomic properties, such as its relatively large atomic radius, low ionization energy, and low electronegativity, contribute to its unique position and behavior among the transition metals. These characteristics make gold a relatively unreactive metal, with a high resistance to corrosion and oxidation. This, in turn, allows gold to maintain its characteristic yellow color and luster, which are highly valued in various applications, from jewelry to electronics. Additionally, gold's low ionization energy and ability to form positive ions enable its use in electrochemical processes, such as in galvanic cells. The combination of gold's physical and chemical properties, rooted in its periodic table position, underpin its widespread use and importance in modern society.

Related terms

Atomic Number:

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's chemical properties. Gold has an atomic number of 79.

Oxidation State:

The degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound, expressed by its positive or negative charge. Gold typically has an oxidation state of +1 or +3.

Electronegativity:

The ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. Gold has a relatively low electronegativity, making it a relatively unreactive metal.