Gold


 * ~ __ Gold: The Element ____ that Funded the World __

Table of Contents ||
 * = Introduction to Gold ||
 * = A History of Everyone's Favorite Shiny Metal ||
 * = A Brief Explanation of the Economics of Gold ||
 * = Gold in its Natural Habitat ||
 * = If You Put Gold On Your Face, or, How to Stop Wrinkles With Element 79 ||
 * = What Makes Gold Special ||

Introduction
Gold has been both a problematic and useful element. Since its discovery, gold, and the wealth it symbolizes, have caused as many wars as any other factor. However the benefits far outweigh the negative impacts it has had on human society. Gold has the atomic number 79 and is a Transition metal. Gold’s shiny yellow appearance has attracted humans since they first found it.

History
Gold was first discovered around 4000 B.C.E. After a short time It began to be mined and used for decoration on homes in Thrace or near the Transylvanian alps. Gold had many desirable qualities include malleability, shine, and color and resistance to rust. Because of these qualities. Around 3000 B.C.E Sumer began to decorate people instead of just their homes with gold, and started making jewelry. In 2500 B.C.E Egypt began to use gold and many kings were buried with it. In 1500 B.C.E gold started being used as a widely accepted and equally valued piece, named the Shekel it weighed 11.3 grams, and was ⅔ gold, ⅓ silver. From this point Gold eventually became the standard indicator of wealth as opposed to land or cattle. 1200 B.C.E people living by the black sea began to find gold in sea water using sheepskin, this way of acquiring gold gave rise to the myth of the Golden Fleece, a Ram’s skin of gold. In 560 B.C.E governments in Lydia began to use actual coins as legal currency, the gold was purified and then stamped with a symbol or public leader. Eventually Alchemy arose in order to attempt to make gold out of other metals or natural materials. Gold continued as a major form of currency until as late as the early 1900s and then when standards of measurement began to be needed gold was used because of its resistance to rust or tarnish.[[|3]]

Economics
Gold is one of, if not the most economically influential metal that exist. Gold was one of the first standard forms of currency and since has been a inflation proof standard for an amount of wealth. For a long time many nations used a gold standard which meant each paper bill created was backed by an actual piece of gold in a stockpile. Jewelry uses gold as one of the most expensive materials; as it is too soft alone it is often used in alloys for strength while retaining shine and color of gold. Gold is also used in electronics, because it does not rust or tarnish small electrical currents can pass through gold without interference.Cell phones, computers, calculators and global positioning systems all use small amounts of gold. Gold Is even used in dentistry, its resistance to corrosion makes it ideal for replacing or filling teeth. However, gold has declined recently because of high costs and worries about long term health effects. Gold in glass helps reflect some radiation, in the summer sunlight is reflected keeping the building cool and in winter heat inside is reflected back inside keeping the building warm. [[|6]]

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In Nature
Gold is an element that appears in nature reasonably frequently. It typically occurs in alluvial deposits (sediment and silt that collects in riverbeds) and as veins in rocks. Its one time prevalence in America in the mid-19th century led to the Gold Rush, in which thousands of people flocked west in the hopes of striking it big. Several "forgotten" gold mines supposedly lie hidden to this day, just waiting for someone to rediscover them. It has been estimated that if one combined all the refined gold in the world into one giant cube, it would measure sixty feet per side.

Gold as Facials? Gold in Medicine
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Gold plays little to no active role in nature, given that it does not react to air or most other reagents (4). However, it has some surprising uses in medicine and cosmetics, for example, gold facials. Seem far-fetched? Historically, however, gold was used by both the Ancient Chinese and Romans to promote smooth skin. [See video at side.] Beside beauty treatments, injectable gold can be used to relieve arthritis (2) and gold nanoparticles directed at cancerous cells can slow or even stop their [|growth] (5).

The Specifics of Gold
The atomic symbol of Gold is Au, coming from the Latin, Aurum. Its atomic number is 79, meaning that it has 79 protons, and its atomic weight is 196.97. Gold has 18 Isotopes, of which 17 are radioactive, and only one is stable (though radioactive gold sounds like it would be interesting). Unlike most other metals, gold is yellow, a trait which makes it highly prized for jewelry, for which it is highly suited, given its malleability. As a transition metal it has a longer electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d10.

And you might be surprised to know: as one of the most ductile elements one ounce of gold can be flattened out to 300 ft2; gold leaf can be beaten to the point of translucency (4). Also interesting: cell phones each contain about 50 cents of gold, as more and more phones are thrown away gold is also being lost from circulation.

Sources


 * 1) 24k Gold Facial. Post. Goldmarketprice. Gold News - 24K Gold Facial. 31 Jan. 2009. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. .
 * 2) Furst, Daniel E. "About Gold Treatment." Gold Treatment. Arthritis Foundation, 30 Dec. 2004. Web. 7 Jan. 2011. .
 * 3) Istre, Ray. "History of Gold and Silver Article Based on Outline by the National Mining Association." History of Gold and Silver. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. .
 * 4) Radiochemistry.org. "ELEMENT: GOLD." RADIOCHEMISTRY SOCIETY. Jan. 1990. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. 
 * 5) Terraso, David. "Using Gold Nanoparticles to Hit Cancer Where It Hurts." PhysOrg.com. 15 Feb. 2010. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. .
 * 6) "Uses of Gold in Industry, Medicine, Computers, Electronics, Jewelry." Geology.com - Earth Science News, Maps, Dictionary, Articles, Jobs. 05 Jan. 2005. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. .