Gold - XAU

Gold, symbolized as Au (from Latin "aurum") and atomic number 79, is a bright, slightly orange-yellow metal known for its density, malleability, and ductility. It's a transition metal, resistant to most acids and part of the noble metals group. Gold is found in free form in nature, often in nuggets or grains and less commonly in minerals like tellurides. It's primarily used in jewelry, electronics due to its conductivity, and historically in coinage. China leads in gold production as of 2020.