Gold

The symbol of gold is Au which is driven from the Latin word Aurum. Its atomic number is 79 and atomic weight is 197.2. Its electronic configuration is as shown below

Shell	K	L	M	N	O	P
Number of electrons	2	8	18	32	18	1
Orbitals	1s2	2s22p6	3s23p63d10	4S24p64d104f14	5s25p65d10	6s1

Position of Gold in periodic table: Gold has one valence electron and its valency is 1 or 3. It falls in group IB of periodic table and on 6^th period under d-block elements. It can make aurous ion(Au⁺) by loosing 1 electron or auric ion(Au⁺⁺⁺) by loosing three electrons.

Occurrence: Gold is generally found in free state with quartz or river sand. Its major ore is calverite(AuTe₂)

Physical properties of Gold:

• It is soft and shiny yellow colored metal
• Its specific gravity is 19.3
• Its melting point is 1063^oC and boiling point is 2530^oC
• It is very less reactive metal
• It is very good conductor of heat and electricity

Uses of Gold:

• It is used to make ornaments
• It is used to make gold coins
• It is used to make gold medals
• It is used to make decorative materials
• It is used to make statues of god and goddess
• It is used to make gold leaf electroscope
• It is used to make medicines
• It is used to make photographic chemicals
• It is used in gold plating