1. Apr 28, 2009 #1

   dishku

   

   Gold being a very good conductor should reflect almost all light incident on it and should be appearing white or at least gray. then why is it golden.....?????
   pls do reply a detailed answer

    

   dishku, Apr 28, 2009
2. 
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3. Apr 28, 2009 #2

   Ben Niehoff

   

   Science Advisor

   Gold Member

   It has to do with relativistic corrections. Since gold is such a large atom, its electrons are moving very fast (effectively).

    

   Ben Niehoff, Apr 28, 2009
4. Apr 29, 2009 #3

   alxm

   

   Science Advisor

   Specifically a transition to the p-orbital/band which is in the ultraviolet in Ag is shifted down into the blue in gold, giving it absorption in the blue range, hence a yellowish color, since that's the complementary color to blue.

    

   alxm, Apr 29, 2009

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