The hardness of it. Gold is harder than pyrite.
the density of pyrite or fool's gold is 5.01g/cm3
A magnet is not a reliable test to distinguish between gold and pyrite. Gold is not magnetic, while pyrite (often called "fool's gold") can exhibit some magnetic properties under certain conditions. However, the best way to differentiate them is through other methods, such as examining their color, luster, and density, or conducting an acid test.
Pyrite
In one word, scarcity. There is a lot of pyrite, not much gold.
Early prospectors used density to determine whether they had found gold or pyrite by comparing the weight of the mineral sample to its volume. Gold has a higher density than pyrite, so a sample of gold would feel heavier for its size compared to a sample of pyrite. By calculating the density of the sample using the formula density = mass/volume, prospectors could determine if they had found gold or pyrite based on the density value obtained.
The hardness of it. Gold is harder than pyrite.
Gold has a higher density than pyrite, which means it contains more mass in the same volume. This higher density is due to the atomic structure and composition of gold, which makes it heavier compared to pyrite even though they may appear to be the same size.
The nugget of gold has a volume of 2.6 cm3, and the nugget of pyrite has a volume of 10 cm3.
the density of pyrite or fool's gold is 5.01g/cm3
In fact, pyrite is heavier than gold. I'm not sure exactly, but I believe it is anywhere from 5% to 20% heavier than gold of the same volume.
If the volumes of the samples of pyrite and gold are equal, you cannot directly determine the number of samples without knowing the specific mass or density of each material. Pyrite has a lower density (about 5 g/cm³) compared to gold (about 19.3 g/cm³), meaning that for the same volume, a sample of gold would weigh significantly more than a sample of pyrite. Therefore, while the volumes may be equal, the mass of gold will be greater than that of pyrite.
Prospectors used the physical property of density to differentiate between iron pyrite and gold. Gold is denser than iron pyrite, so prospectors could use the weight of a sample to determine whether it was more likely to be gold or iron pyrite.
density=g/cm3 The density of Gold is 19.3g/cm3 The density of Fool's Gold (pyrite) is 5g/cm3 The question is slightly ambiguous as first written so two calculations are given: # 100/15= 6.666g/cm3 So this nugget is possibly pyrite and not gold. 100/5= 20g/cm3 So this nugget is possibly gold.
It can be identified in the field by the sulfur smell of the powdered mineral. Its metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold due to many miners mistaking it for the real thing, though small quantities of actual gold are sometimes found in pyrite. In fact, such auriferous pyrite is a valuable ore of gold.
Pyrite also known as "fool's gold" is a mineral that has both a different chemical, morphological and physical characteristics than gold. Gold is denser (i.e. the same size of gold is much heavier than the that of pyrite). Gold's average density is 17.64 g/cm3 while Pyrite's density is on average 5.01 g/cm3. The chemical formulas are different. Gold's chemical formula is "Au" while Pyrite's is and iron sulfate mineral with a formula of "FeS2". The color is also different, gold appears the color of gold while pyrite is more bronze in color. The crystallographic form of the minerals also vary. Gold is a very soft mineral while Pyrite is much harder (gold has a hardness of 2.5 while Pyrite is 6.5). To distinguish between a sample of each, you could scratch the surface of gold using your fingernail which you would not be able to do with pyrite. You can try to scratch it because pyrite or fools gold much harder then gold so if it doesn't scratch that much it is most likely pyrite or fools gold. You can tell them apart by looking at their reflection and streak. Also, gold is much more dense than pyrite, so the same volume would 'weigh' about 3.5 times more. Gold has a hardness of about 2.5, while pyrite is about 6 (Gold is softer and more malable). Streak is used to distinguish between Gold and Pyrite.
To separate gold from dirt, you can use methods such as panning, sluicing, or using a gold pan to extract the gold. These methods rely on the density difference between gold and dirt particles to separate them. It's important to be patient and thorough in the process to ensure all the gold is collected.