My Science School

               Gold is an indispensable metal in our life. People wear gold ornaments during special occasions such as weddings and festivals. For people, gold ornaments are not only highly sought-after accessories but also a secure investment option due to its consistent price. What makes gold such a desirable metal?

               Gold has been prized for its yellow colour and shine since prehistoric times. It is popular mainly because its glow hardly diminishes. The glittering element has the ability to excite people like no other. Gold’s chemical symbol is Au, which comes from the Latin word ‘aurum’, meaning glow of sunrise.

               Gold is the most workable metal. It is soft and can be hammered into incredibly thin sheets called ‘gold leaf’. Gold has diverse utilities as it is used for teeth filling, jewellery, electrical circuit boards, space satellites and coins.

               The amount of gold in an object is measured in carats. Pure gold is 24 carats. A carat was originally a unit of weight based on the carob seed or bean, and it was used by ancient merchants in the Middle East.

               The atomic number of gold is 79.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               People love to wear on their body expensive metals such as silver, gold and platinum in the form of ornaments. While silver and gold are common jewellery, platinum is not as common due to its high cost.

               Ancient civilizations of Central and South America have used platinum for centuries. Archaeologists have discovered traces of the element in the gold used by the Ancient Egyptians as early as 1200 BC. However, scientists started to study the element only after European exploration of the Americas began.

               Platinum, a highly valued and desired metal, has a wide range of uses, including jewellery, electrical contacts, pace-makers, drugs and magnets. Platinum tends to be very expensive because of its rarity. Platinum is a silvery white metal. It was once known as ‘white gold’ due to its colour and cost. It is highly resistant to tarnishing and corrosion and is very soft and malleable.

               Though it is rare in the earth’s crust, the earth’s moon and meteorites often contain great deposits of platinum. South Africa is the leading producer of refined platinum. The atomic number of platinum is 78, and its atomic symbol is Pt.

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