Transition Metals

Transition Metals - Gold “Gold” comes from the Latin word aurum, meaning obsolete gold. This is where its symbol, Au, comes from. • Atom contents- • 79 protons • 118 neutrons • 79 electrons • -making the atom neutral. At room temperature, gold is a solid. Its melting point is 1,943°F. It is 19.3 times denser than water, and 3 times denser than iron. Briley Wright 5-18

Transition Metals - Gold Gold, found in nature, is rather rare—making it highly valued. • The top goldmines are: • South Africa • Russia • The United States • Canada • Australia • Brazil • China • Common uses for gold: • Jewelry • Art • Medical purposes • Astronomy purposes Briley Wright 5-18

Transition Metals - Gold The Transvaal Province of South Africa holds most of the world’s gold—3300 tons. Gold never corrodes and is extremely malleable. It is a great thermal and electrical conductor. Only silver and copper can conduct better. major goldmines in South Africa Briley Wright 5-18

Transition Metals - Iron “Iron” comes from the Latin word ferrum—which is why its symbol is Fe. The atomic number, 26, signals that the atom has 26 protons. It has an atomic mass of 56—making the atomic contain 30 neutrons and 26 electrons. Iron is a solid at room temperature, and its melting point is 2,795°F. Climbing on up the scale at 4,982°F is Iron’s boiling point. Briley Wright 5-18

Transition Metals - Iron Iron is not nearly as valuable as gold, but it is found in nature. • The top iron ore deposits are found in: • Australia • Canada • France • India • South Africa • United States • Common uses for iron: • Medical purposes • Magnetic tapes • Steel • Buildings • Bridges • Skyscrapers Briley Wright 5-18

Transition Metals - Iron The Eiffel Tower—built in 1889—is made out of iron. Monuments like that today would most likely be made out of steel—ex. The Empire State Building. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1887-1889. The Empire State Building was built in 1929-1930. Briley Wright 5-18

Transition Metals - Gold