As you may know, gold is a valuable metal. But did you know because it is a pure substance, gold is considered a mineral not a rock. However, did you know there is such a rock as Fool’s Gold aka Pyrite? Please research the properties of gold and compare it to pyrite. Generate a table and compare the following: appearance, formula, melting point, density. Also, how would you distinguish between real Gold and fool’s gold?
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Answer:
Pyrite is called “Fool's Gold” because it resembles gold to the untrained eye. While pyrite has a brass-yellow color and metallic luster similar to gold, pyrite is brittle and will break rather than bend as gold does. Gold leaves a yellow streak, while pyrite's streak is brownish black.
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Answer:
Properties of Gold
Gold is prized for its beauty.
Comparison of Gold and Pyrite
The most distinct difference between gold and pyrite is in their hardness. Gold is one of the most malleable and ductile metals on earth. The mineral can take any shape when flattened and is easily scratched with a pocket knife. Pyrite is noticeably harder with a hardness of 6 on Mohs scale while gold is at a 3.