How can gold be distinguished?
Acid test: This test uses nitric acid to test gold. Gold reacts with nitric acid to dissolve, and oxygen gases and nitrogen oxides are formed. If the sample contains pure gold, it will dissolve completely. It is important to be careful when using this test because nitric acid is strong and dangerous to handle.
Magnetism Test: Gold is not magnetic and does not interact with a magnetic field. Therefore, magnets can be used to test for gold. If the sample does not attract a magnet, it is most likely gold. However, you should be aware that the presence of some impurities may affect the result.
Hardness test: Mohs scale can be used to test the hardness of gold. Diamond is used as a hardness reference and the mineral's hardness is evaluated in comparison to diamond. Gold has a hardness of about 2.5, while diamond has a maximum hardness of about 10.
Immersion test: Immersion test is one of the common methods of testing gold. When a piece of gold is placed in immersed water, it can be seen that the gold remains unaffected by corrosion.
Chlorine test: The chlorine test is an old method of testing for gold. A piece of gold is placed with chlorine or chlorine gas, so if the piece is pure gold, no reaction will occur.
Density Test: Gold is a very dense metal, and density can be used to distinguish it from other metals. Density balances can be used to measure the weight of a sample and compare it to the known average density of gold.
However, it must be noted that the above methods are not 100% sure and may need multiple tests to verify the authenticity of gold with high accuracy. If you intend to buy jewelry or a precious metal, it is best to buy it from a trusted and reputable seller to ensure the quality of the gold.
