Assignment 3

1. Transitional Metal of the Week (Gold)

Chemically, gold is a transitional metal. Gold does not react with most chemicals, but is attacked by chlorine, fluorine, aqua regia and cyanide. Gold dissolves in mercury, but does not react with it. Gold is insoluble in nitric acid, which will dissolve silver and base metals, and this is the basis of the gold refining technique known as "inquartation and parting". Nitric acid has long been used to confirm the presence of gold in items, and this is the origin of the colloquial term "acid test," referring to a gold standard test for genuine value.

Gold is a highly sought-after precious metal which has been used as money and in jewelry since the beginning of time. Gold occurs as nuggets or grains in rocks. It is also found underground and in a alluvial deposits. It is used as coinage. It is dense, soft and shiny and the most malleable substance known. Pure gold has a bright yellow color.

Modern industrial uses include dentistry and electronics, because of its good resistance to oxidative corrosion.

2. Water Concepts

This is a really cool site. I like the visuals. They helped to reinforce that oxygen atoms attract electrons more strongly than hydrogen atoms thereby creating an uneven distribution of positive and negative charges. This polarization is what allows water to dissolve so many substances.