Yes, gold is considered a pure substance. It is an element with atomic number 79 on the periodic table. 1 Elemental gold consists of only one type of atom, gold atoms, and does not contain any impurities or other elements. It retains its distinct properties and composition, making it a pure substance.
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Key Takeaways: Why is Gold a Pure Substance?
- Gold is a pure substance because it consists of only one type of atom throughout its structure.
- Gold is an element, not a compound, because it cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
- Gold is not a mixture because it does not contain two or more substances that are physically combined.
Explanation: Why is gold a pure substance?
Gold is considered a pure substance because it consists of only one type of atom throughout its structure. In other words, gold is made up of identical gold atoms, which gives it its characteristic properties.
In the periodic table of elements, gold is represented by the symbol “Au” and has an atomic number of 79. Each gold atom contains 79 protons in its nucleus and an equal number of electrons surrounding the nucleus. 2 These protons, neutrons, and electrons make up the basic building blocks of matter.
Pure substances can be classified into elements and compounds. 3 Elements are substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, and gold is one such element. It is composed solely of gold atoms and cannot be further decomposed into other elements or compounds using chemical reactions.
On the other hand, compounds are substances composed of two or more different types of atoms chemically combined in fixed ratios. For example, water (H2O) is a compound consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together. 4
But the elemental gold has only one type of atom (i.e gold atoms) and because of this, gold is classified as a pure substance.
Why is gold not a mixture?
Gold is not considered a mixture because it consists of only one component throughout its structure. It is a pure substance composed of identical gold atoms.
A mixture, in chemistry, is a combination of two or more substances that are physically combined and can be separated by physical means. Mixtures can be further classified into homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures. 5
In a homogeneous mixture, the components are evenly distributed and cannot be visually distinguished, such as salt dissolved in water. In a heterogeneous mixture, the components are not uniformly distributed and can be visually differentiated, such as a salad with various vegetables. 6
Gold, however, does not fall under either of these categories. It is not a combination of different substances; rather, it is composed solely of gold atoms.
These atoms are identical in nature, and there are no other elements or compounds present within gold that would make it a mixture. Therefore, gold is not considered a mixture but a pure substance.
Gold is a pure substance, but is it an element or a compound?
Gold is an element, not a compound. An element is a pure substance that consists of only one type of atom. Gold, with its symbol “Au” on the periodic table, is composed solely of gold atoms.
It cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, indicating its elemental nature.
Unlike compounds, which are formed by the chemical combination of different elements, gold exists in its pure elemental form and does not chemically react with other elements to form compounds under normal conditions. 7
Therefore, gold is classified as an element.
Further reading
Is Air a Pure Substance?
Why is Table Salt a Pure Substance?
Why is Silicon a Metalloid?
Is Sulfur a Metal?
Is Aluminum a Transition Metal?
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References
- Periodic Table of Elements: Los Alamos National Laboratory. (n.d.). Periodic Table of Elements: Los Alamos National Laboratory. https://periodic.lanl.gov/79.shtml
- P. (n.d.). Gold | Au (Element) – PubChem. Gold | Au (Element) – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/Gold
- Classification of Elements and Compounds | Chemistry | JoVE. (n.d.). Classification of Elements and Compounds | Chemistry | JoVE. https://www.jove.com/science-education/11252/classification-of-elements-and-compounds
- Molecules and compounds overview | Atomic structure (article) | Khan Academy. (n.d.). Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry/atomic-structure-and-properties/introduction-to-compounds/a/paul-article-2
- 2.7: Mixture. (2022, March 18). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Introductory_Chemistry_(CK-12)/02%3A_Matter_and_Change/2.07%3A_Mixture
- Mixture – Wikipedia. (2018, November 30). Mixture – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixture
- Gold – Wikipedia. (2022, May 1). Gold – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold