2007-05-31 03:47:33 · 3 answers · asked by cchurch c 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Gold melts at quite high temperatures of 1064 degrees. That needs a good furnace and high amount of gold.
I doubt whether you really want to melt gold. What is your purpose ? If it is purification or giving it a particular shape, you can use
1) mercury, which in contact with gold immediately forms an amalgam which on heating relieves gold. (but be careful, mercury vapour is extremely hazardous - don't inhale.)
2) Potassium cyanide, which dissolves gold but again it is extremely hazardous.
3) Aqua Regia (1:3 ratio of conc HNO3 & conc H2SO4), which can also dissolves gold.
You can also use a blow pipe and an open flame to give gold your desired shape.
2007-05-31 07:16:41 · answer #1 · answered by saudipta c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gold melts at 1064.18 degrees Celsius. So you need to find a) something to hold it that doesn't melt at that temp and b) a heat source that will get that hot.
2007-05-31 10:51:20 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put in a crucible in an annealing oven or other metal-working heat source. I have seen a small propane torch used with the gold in a crucible.
2007-06-03 22:19:50 · answer #3 · answered by kitnsass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋