Facts about gold and its properties
Gold is a metallic element with the atomic number 79. That means that there are 79 protons in the nucleus of a gold atom. The chemical symbol is Au, from Latin aurum.
Gold is noble and inert – it reacts with very few chemicals. Gold is one of the heaviest metals, one litre of pure gold weighs 19.3 kg. Pure gold is soft, very malleable, and ductile, and conducts heat and electricity very well. Gold is alloyed with other metals to make it harder.
