What is Element 79?

Element 79 is gold, the shiny metal you see in jewelry and coins.

Imagine you have a bag full of different kinds of marbles, each color and size represents a different element. Now, pick out one marble that's bright yellow and feels smooth, that’s gold! It has a special number, 79, which means it’s the 79th kind of marble in the whole bag.

Why is gold so special?

Gold doesn’t react much with other things. Think of it like a shy kid who doesn’t want to play with anyone, it stays stable and beautiful even when it's touched by water or air.

Also, gold is really soft, which makes it easy to shape into rings and necklaces. It’s kind of like clay, you can press it into different forms without breaking it.

Gold in our lives

You might not realize it, but gold is all around you. Some coins are made from it, and even your phone has a tiny bit of gold inside! It helps connect the parts that make your phone work. So next time you see something shiny like a ring or a coin, remember, it could be gold, the 79th marble in nature’s big bag!

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. A child learns that gold is element 79 and why it's special.
  2. Gold is used in jewelry because of its beauty and durability.
  3. Element 79 is found in the Earth's crust.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: History · gold· chemistry· elements