Gold

This module can be implemented alongside any senior chemistry unit at the year 11 and 12 level or can be simplified and introduced in year 10 as a great lead into senior chemistry, biology and physics. Chemistry is a key science that explains the processes when substances interact. The study of the element gold has been chosen to make students aware of how knowledge of simple chemistry principles and skills can be transformed into new technologies applied to cutting edge medical research. Gold is also a very good example to illustrate how bulk properties change at the nanoscale.

Module Overview

This module is based around the question ‘What colour is gold?’. Students first learn about bulk gold, its chemistry, properties and uses. They are then introduced to nanogold, undertaking an experiment to make nanogold, and learning about its properties and uses. Through this students learn that gold in not if fact just yellow, but that the colour of gold depends on its size.

• Module Guide Word (312kb)

• Module Presentation Powerpoint (8.9mb)

Experiment 1: Making Gold Nanoparticles

To visualise the concept that the colour of gold is dependent on its size, students watch a video clip on making gold nanoparticles made by St. Helena students and then perform the experiment themselves where they see the different colours of gold in its different forms.

After learning about what they have made, what colloids and nanoparticles are, they then learn how to calculate the size of the nanoparticles they made, aided by a video.

Students then learn about the applications of gold nanoparticles, in particular the use of coupling of gold nanoparticles in diagnosis of meningococcal.

• Experiment Guide Word (308kb)

• Experiment Word (308kb)

• What colour is Gold? WMV (3.4mb)

• Determining size of Gold Nanoparticles WMV (4.1mb)

• Coupling of Nanoparticles WMV (1.7mb)