Why Is Gold So Valuable Among More Than 100 Elements On The Periodic Table?

Human beings have always kept one element apart from the others among hundreds of elements in nature: gold! Dictionary writers explained why gold is such a valuable thing.
Although societies are currently using paper money, this was not always the case. money, m.o. It was invented by the Lydians in 640 and it was founded by m.o. Since 500 years, gold has been used as a popular currency. So why not gold, not elements like osmium, lithium, thorium? briefly; For historical reasons, because of its bright appearance, rare (but not so rare) and chemically stable, we can conclude that gold is valuable.
If we want to use a substance instead of money, we expect it to have features such as robustness, not changing over time, or easy handling. If we examine the periodic table, the most suitable elements look like chemically stable and not easily changing elements located on the upper right side of the periodic table, but these elements have a big problem: gas states. If you used these gaseous elements at room temperature instead of money, you would lose all your money every time you open a jar. so let's draw the top of the elements on this side. it means that the element we choose should not be liquid or gas, so it can be useful and manageable.
If we look at the elements on the left side of the periodic table ... these are very reactive, elements that can react even with air. For example, the contact of lithium with air creates explosions strong enough to penetrate concrete walls. Likewise, magnesium can easily react with water. Since you do not want money that can explode in your pocket at any time, we can draw the top of the reactive elements on this side. You don't want the money in your pocket to change to a halt, most of the elements in the periodic table are reactive elements. Although they don't all explode, they can get worn out over time, split into pieces ...
After eliminating the elements to the right and left of the periodic table, let's look at the two rows that stand separately at the bottom ... the problem of these elements is that they are radioactive ... we could face one of these, for example, thorium, in our pocket for a year, we could face serious health problems. so let's eliminate the elements in this section.
There are about 30 elements left ... we need an element that does not have gas or liquid, does not hang over time, burst, change as much as possible, and does not kill us ... even add the criterion of the rarity of this element to these criteria so that you can be valuable. this criterion eliminated many elements on the upper side of the ruler, because these elements are found in a large amount in the world. but this element should not be too rare. For example, osmium is an element that only comes to earth with meteorites. It would not be so smart to use this element as money.

After all these criteria, there are 5 elements left: rhodium, palladium, silver, platinum and gold.
If you look carefully, you will notice that all of these elements are precious metals. So what are the features that underline these elements? silver was used as money, but not the best option; Because it gets darker over time, the image changes. It was not possible for the first civilizations to use rhodium and palladium because these elements were discovered in the 1800s. only platinum and gold remain. Both are elements with bright images (they look good) that can be found in rivers, rivers ... but if ancient civilizations wanted to make platinum money, they would have to have a magical power; Because the melting temperature of platinum is higher than 1600c. Since gold could melt at lower temperatures, people were able to process gold, shape it and become the accepted purchasing unit before the industrial revolution. gold does not darken over time, does not change its appearance even after hundreds of years, does not lose weight and volume, does not react easily even with strong acids; it can be easily processed and shaped.
So what are the 'historical values' I wrote at the beginning of the article? To better understand this, we can look at countries like China or India, where gold is always very important to society and gold is always precious. The elements of virgin and gold used as money in genie in history, but the elements that have been worn over time and changed in color, harmful to health in lead ... what are the values that make gold? In ancient civilizations such as jin and india historically, even if there were many political system changes, economic fluctuations or crises, even if the inflation value increased, the people learned that gold was the only thing that could maintain its value. this phenomenon has settled in its culture and laws over time, and even has worked on its DNA :) if gold can maintain its value after every crisis, it makes it the ideal currency.
Although gold is not actively used as a currency at the moment, the value of paper coins is still provided with gold. Paper coins were used in genie in history, but they were exchanged with silver or gold in return. The current system is similar, albeit not entirely the same ... also, gold was not historically a substance used in other areas for purposes of money, jewelery or show ('not being worn over time', 'easily processed' and 'hard enough' Although it was used for exterior coating due to its feature, I assume that this is mostly done for statistic purposes, so I count this as a demonstration purpose). the use of gold in electronic items is a change over the past 15-20 years; but naturally, gold will not lose its 2500-year value in 20 years :)
summarize; Gold is valuable for historical and cultural reasons, its beautiful and bright appearance, its rarity and its not being chemically reactive.
Previous Post Next Post