Gold

By John Emsley2008-11-01T00:00:00

Source: Jupiterimages

Colourful in the colours it exhibits, and in its chemistry and uses

Did you know that in the 13th century they found that gold would dissolve in a mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids which they called aqua regia ('king of waters').

When this was shaken with oil of rosemary, they assumed some of gold passed into the oil, which they separated and the oil, aurum potabile, was prescribed as a cure-all.

Learn more about gold as John Emsley stops here on his tour of the periodic table.

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