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Why is no chemical reaction necessary to extract gold?


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As such, no series of chemical reactions can ever create gold. Chemical reactions change the number and shape of the electrons in an atom but leave the nucleus of the atom unchanged. The ancient alchemist dream of creating gold by simply reacting chemicals is therefore impossible
User Jonatan Lavado
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Step-by-step explanation:

Because gold is a very unreactive metal and exists as a pure substance (instead of oxides).

User Pierocampanelli
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