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Gold's Uses
What is gold's main use in society?
It is estimated that 65% of all gold produced is used in arts and commercial products, mainly jewelry.
Aside from jewelry and coins, what are gold's uses today?
Gold is used in dentistry, electronics, chemisty, space exploration technology and other fields.
Is gold still used as money?
Although some countries issue legal tender gold coins, they are not intended to circulate and are geared towards collectors and investors. Additionally, gold is used by some governments to settle debts and as a hedge against currency risk. However, gold is no longer used as money on a broad scale.
Why is gold still used by dentists for crowns?
Gold's malleability enables it to form a superior bond with the existing tooth surface than porcelain and other synthetics.
Does gold have medicinal uses?
Gold salts have anti-inflammatory qualities, and are used in the treatments of arthritis and similar conditions.
The radioactive gold isotope gold-198 is used in the treatment of cancer and other conditions.
What is colloidal gold and what is its purpose?
Colloidal gold is comprised of microscopic particles of gold in fluid, usually water. It is used in research applications in medicine, biology and materials science. Colloidal gold absorbs protein and can be used to "label" items under an electron microscope. Coated with antibodies, colloidal gold can be used as a sort of microscopic probe in antiviral research.
Some forms of food and drink claim to contain gold. Is this real gold? Is it safe?
Some desserts and liquers do contain gold flake or gold dust, usually to convey a symbolic sense of luxury on the product. Because gold is inert to body chemistry, it is safe to consume in these small amounts.
Gold is metal. How can it be used to make glass such as cranberry glass?
Gold's extremely high malleability enables it to be hammered to the point that it becomes transluscent. A single ounce of gold can be hammered into a sheet 300 square feet in size! At that point it is so thin that it can be used as a colouring agent in glass without significantly affecting the transparency of the glass, producing products such as cranberry glass.
Why is gold used on some satellites and spacecraft?
Gold is a very good reflector of radiation, radio waves and visible light. For this reason it is used as a protective coating on many satellites, on the visors of astronauts' helmets, and as shielding for electronic warfare planes such as the EA-6B Prowler.