ABC of mining
Gold
Chemical Formula
Au
Chemical Class
Native Elements
Properties
Gold belongs to cubic crystalline system, it has metallic gloss, a color that ranges from yellow to reddish white, 2.5 to 3 low hardness and it has malleable tenacity.
Origin
This sample is from Alta Floresta (MT).
Curiosities
Did you know that the gold is rarely mixed with other chemical elements, and thus it is found in nature usually in native state? Gold is the most malleable and ductile of metals. A ductile metal can be drawn and form threads. With 1 g of this metal, up to 2,000 thread meters can be achieved. USE
Use
Gold is used mainly in coins, and in second place, in jewelry and decoration. It is also useful in deontology (not very used nowadays), scientific instruments, photography and electronic industry. Gold photo credit: Henry Yu
Source: MM Gerdau - Museu das Minas e do Metal -
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