2023-05-07

The origin of gold

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and the atomic number 79. It is one of the rarest elements on Earth and ranks third in the periodic table among the heaviest elements.

Recent research indicates that gold comes from stars, as it is produced in the final stages of the life of massive stars. Sometimes, gold can be produced when two stars collide, resulting in the fusion of the cores and the formation of a gold nugget.

However, the gold that we find on Earth is not the result of this process, but rather it originated in other ways. Gold was originally formed in the ground, and the gold metal is often present in igneous rocks, and it is extracted through mountain mining or prospecting for it in alluvial rivers.

The process of extracting gold consists of separating it from rocks and dust using many different techniques. Chemistry can be used to separate gold from rocks, where chemicals are used to obtain a mixture of gold and sediment. The gold is then separated from this mixture using filtration and sedimentation.

In addition to extracting gold from the ground, gold can be extracted from old electronics and electronic devices, as the gold in these devices is converted into a used form after manufacturing.

After all, gold is a precious element that has great economic value and is used for many purposes, including use in jewelry, industrial purposes such as electronic applications, surgical instruments, coin making, decorations, and more. The value of gold is determined by a unit of weight known as the carat, where a karat equals 0.2 grams.

In addition to its economic value, gold is also highly valued culturally and historically, as it was used as a system of trade and social exchange in the past. Interestingly, gold has not lost its value with the passage of time, on the contrary, it has increased in value in recent years.

Ultimately, gold is a highly prized item because of its rarity, beauty, durability, history and cultural value. Although its original formation occurs in space, the gold that is used today is extracted from the ground and from the electronic devices used, which enhances its value and importance in the world.