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.
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