The Periodic Table of Gold: Understanding its Molar Mass

Gold, often associated with wealth and luxury, is a highly valued precious metal that has been used for various purposes throughout history. From coinage to jewelry, gold has played a significant role in human civilization. But what makes gold so unique? In this article, we will delve into the periodic table of gold and explore its molar mass.

The Periodic Table

The periodic table is a tabular representation of the known chemical elements, organized by their atomic number (number of protons in an atom's nucleus) and recurring chemical properties. Gold, with its symbol Au and atomic number 79, falls under the category of transition metals, which are located in the d-block of the periodic table.

The Molar Mass

The molar mass of gold is defined as the mass of one mole (6.022 x 10^23) atoms of gold. In other words, it is the total weight of a sample of gold that contains Avogadro's number of gold atoms. The molar mass of gold is 196.9665 g/mol.

Physical Properties

Gold has several physical properties that make it unique and valuable. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow metal with a density of approximately 19.3 g/cm^3. Gold is also soft, ductile, and malleable, making it easy to shape and mold into various forms. Additionally, gold is resistant to corrosion and does not react with most acids, except for aqua regia (a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid), which forms a soluble tetrachloroaurate anion.

Chemical Properties

Gold has several chemical properties that make it valuable in various applications. For example, gold dissolves in alkaline solutions of cyanide, which are used in mining and electroplating. Gold also does not dissolve in nitric acid alone, which is a property often used to refine gold and confirm its presence in metallic substances.

History and Uses

Gold has been used for various purposes throughout history, including coinage, jewelry, and other forms of art. Today, gold is still widely used in these applications, as well as in electronics, dentistry, and medicine. Gold is also a popular investment option due to its value and durability.

In conclusion, the periodic table of gold provides valuable information about this precious metal's molar mass, physical properties, chemical properties, history, and uses. From its unique physical appearance to its diverse applications, gold has played an important role in human civilization for thousands of years.

Periodic table gold molar mass