Which metal has the chemical symbol Au?

Gold has the chemical symbol Au. The symbol comes from the Latin word aurum, meaning “gold” or “shining dawn.” Gold is a chemical element with atomic number 79 and is classified as a dense, relatively unreactive transition metal.

People have valued gold for thousands of years because it is attractive, durable, malleable and resistant to corrosion. It can be beaten into extremely thin sheets and drawn into fine wire. These properties made it useful for jewellery, decoration, coinage and ceremonial objects long before modern chemistry existed.

Gold is also used in electronics, dentistry and aerospace equipment because it conducts electricity and does not oxidise easily. Its familiar yellow colour distinguishes it from silver, although pure gold is often mixed with other metals to make jewellery harder. Gold’s chemical symbol is not based on the English spelling, which is why Au can seem unexpected.