Gold
Gold (Au)
Gold (Latin: Aurum, symbol: Au) is a chemical element with the atomic number 79. It is a dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal with a bright yellow color and luster, the properties of which remain without tarnishing when exposed to air or water.
Pronunciation
- English: /ɡoʊld/
- Latin: /'au̯.rʊm/
Etymology
The word "gold" comes from the Old English word "geolu," which means yellow. The Latin name Aurum is thought to originate from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂é-h₂us-o- meaning "glow", which is a possible reference to the bright color of the metal.
Related Terms
- Gold leaf: Gold that has been hammered into thin sheets by goldbeating and is often used for gilding.
- Gold mining: The process of extracting gold ores from the earth.
- Gold standard: A monetary system where a country's currency or paper money has a value directly linked to gold.
- Gold compound: A compound in which gold is the element with the highest weight percentage.
Medical Uses
Gold has been used in medicine, a practice known as chrysotherapy, for thousands of years. It is used in the treatment of several medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Gold salts, like Aurothioglucose, are used as anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of the disease. Gold is also used in dentistry due to its superior performance and aesthetic qualities.
Safety
While gold is generally considered non-toxic, certain gold compounds can be toxic to the kidney and liver. Therefore, medical use of gold compounds should be under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gold
- Wikipedia's article - Gold
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