Gold (Au)

A precious metal that almost never reacts, so it stays shiny forever.

Gold facts

Symbol
Au
Atomic number
79
Atomic mass
196.97
Family
Transition metals
Period
6
Group
11

Famous reactions with gold

What does gold react with?

Gold makes a new substance with 5 other elements and chemicals in our lab:

  • Gold + FluorineGold(III) fluoride 2Au + 3F₂ → 2AuF₃ · When heated · Try it
  • Gold + ChlorineGold(III) chloride 2Au + 3Cl₂ → 2AuCl₃ · When heated · Try it
  • Gold + BromineGold(III) bromide 2Au + 3Br₂ → 2AuBr₃ · When heated · Try it
  • Gold + TelluriumGold telluride (calaverite) Au + 2Te → AuTe₂ · When heated · Try it
  • Gold + IodineGold(I) iodide 2Au + I₂ → 2AuI · When heated · Try it

It also blends into a mixture, like an alloy, with 73 other metals when melted together.

Nothing happens when it's simply mixed with 19 of the others. 21 pairings have never been tried, because not enough atoms have ever existed.