Umair Gaines
Gold is a highly sought-after metal in the electronics industry due to its unique properties. Its high conductivity, malleability, ductility, and resistance to corrosion make it ideal for use in various electrical items. While gold is not the only metal used in electronics, with copper and silver being more widely used due to their higher conductivity and lower cost, gold remains a popular choice for specific applications. From old devices like Commodore 64 computers and VHS players to modern smartphones and laptops, gold can be found in many electrical items. The amount of gold varies, with CPUs containing higher amounts, while mobile phones have relatively lower amounts. As gold is valuable and recyclable, proper disposal and recycling of electronic waste are essential to reclaim and reuse this precious metal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electrical conductivity | Gold is a good conductor of electricity |
| Heat conductivity | Gold is a good conductor of heat |
| Ductility | Gold is ductile and malleable, making it easy to work with |
| Corrosion resistance | Gold is resistant to corrosion and oxidation |
| Tarnish resistance | Gold does not tarnish as quickly as other metals |
| Reactivity | Gold is extremely unreactive and inert |
| Malleability | Gold is highly malleable and can be stretched into thin wires |
| Density | Gold is one of the densest metals |
| Electrical items containing gold | Mobile phones, computers, laptops, computer motherboards, CPUs, TVs, VCRs, camcorders, Commodore 64 computers, game consoles, Apple Watch, and more |
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What You'll Learn
Computers and laptops
Gold is often used in computers and laptops due to its excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion. It is a highly effective electrical conductor, capable of carrying small currents while remaining corrosion-free. Gold is also pliable, allowing it to be shaped to fit into wires and other small areas.
Gold can be found in various components of computers and laptops, including:
- Motherboards: Gold is often found on the surfaces and connectors of motherboards, which are large circuit boards. It can be seen as thin layers or gold plating on the motherboard's surface and on gold contacts and connectors where wires are inserted.
- Central Processing Units (CPUs): CPUs are large, square "microchips" found on motherboards. They have hundreds of pins plated in gold around the edges and underneath.
- Circuit boards: Gold is used in circuit boards, including those in laptops, due to its generous gold plating. Circuit boards are estimated to contain 40 to 800 times more gold than gold ore of the same weight.
- Computer chips: Gold is used in computer chips, especially in older computers. Its corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity make it ideal for this application.
While it is possible to extract gold from computers and laptops, it is important to note that it may not be cost-effective to do so on a small scale. The process can also be dangerous, requiring the use of strong acids and mercury. Therefore, it is generally advisable to leave gold extraction to professional refiners who can safely and efficiently recover the gold from electronic waste.
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Mobile phones
Gold is widely used in the electronics industry due to its high conductivity, corrosive resistance, and resilience. It is also highly malleable and ductile, making it easy to work with. While gold is used in a variety of electronic items, mobile phones are one of the most common devices that contain this precious metal.
On average, a smartphone might contain around 0.034 grams of gold. While this may not seem like a significant amount, considering the millions of cell phones produced each year, the total amount of gold used in mobile phones can be substantial. However, compared to other electronic devices, such as high-end desktop computers and servers, smartphones contain less gold.
The gold in mobile phones is valued for its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Gold is an ideal material for use in electronic connectors and contacts due to its low resistance to electricity flow, ensuring minimal disruption to the flow of electricity. Additionally, gold's resistance to tarnishing contributes to the longevity of the devices and circuit boards in which it is used.
While it is technically possible to extract gold from old mobile phones, the process can be complex and may not be cost-effective due to the small quantities involved. It is generally recommended to leave gold recovery to professional recyclers who have the necessary expertise and equipment to safely and efficiently extract valuable metals from electronic waste.
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TVs
Gold is a highly sought-after metal in the electronics industry due to its unique properties. It is an excellent conductor of electricity, heat, and highly malleable and ductile. Its conductivity score of 70% makes it a popular choice for various electronic applications.
Televisions, or TVs, are one of the many electronic items that contain gold. While modern TVs may not have as much gold as older models, they still contain small amounts of gold, primarily in the circuit boards and connectors.
The amount of gold in a TV can vary depending on the model, manufacturer, and age of the television. Older TVs, particularly those from the 1960s to 1980s, were known to have heavier gold plating. These vintage TVs, with their wooden frames and swivel stands, can be a source of gold if you're willing to carefully dismantle them.
However, it's important to note that extracting gold from TVs can be a complex and potentially unsafe process. It requires proper equipment, such as a fume hood, to ensure safety. Additionally, the gold content may not always be worth the effort, as the quantity obtained can be minuscule.
If you're considering recycling gold from TVs, it is advisable to collect a significant number of units to increase the chances of obtaining a worthwhile amount of gold. Alternatively, you can consult precious metal experts who can guide you through the testing, refining, and recycling processes to help you make the most of your golden finds.
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Film cameras
Digital cameras, on the other hand, have gold circuit boards, but the amount of gold in them is typically smaller than in film cameras. Older models of digital cameras, especially those that record full-size VHS tapes, have larger circuit boards that contain gold and other valuable metals. Camcorders, in particular, can be a good source of gold.
It is important to note that the value of gold retrieved from film cameras will depend on various factors, such as the item's age, brand, model, gold purity, and the method used to retrieve the gold. Additionally, the price of gold can fluctuate, impacting the overall value.
Gold is favoured in electronics due to its advantageous properties. It is an excellent conductor of electricity, allowing for efficient transmission of electrical signals with minimal energy loss. Gold is also highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, ensuring long-term reliability even in unfavourable environmental conditions. Moreover, gold is highly malleable, making it easy to shape into thin sheets, wires, and small pieces without breaking, which is ideal for intricate circuitry.
However, it is worth mentioning that film cameras, like other electronic devices, may contain conflict minerals, including gold. The issue with conflict minerals is that they can originate from regions with unethical mining practices, such as forced labour, coercion, and violence. While gold is found in more places than central Africa, the challenge lies in tracing the origins of the raw materials used in the manufacturing supply chain.
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Game consoles
The amount of gold in a PCB is about 0.04% gold by weight. For reference, an average Lego brick weighs 2.5 grams. Circuit boards vary in size and thickness, but they are usually about as thick as ten sheets of paper.
Wired controllers for game consoles may also contain small pieces of gold. The wiring itself may be gold-plated or covered. These gold elements were used to conduct electricity and connections to the console.
Gold can also be found in gaming cartridges for systems like Atari, Super Nintendo, and the Nintendo 64. Portable gaming consoles like the Game Boy also used cartridges with small amounts of gold in them.
If you have old game consoles or cartridges, you can recycle them for gold and make some money.
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Frequently asked questions
Many electrical items contain small amounts of gold, including mobile phones, computers, TVs, CPUs, game consoles, VCRs, camcorders, and film cameras.
Gold is used in electrical items due to its unique properties. It is highly conductive, malleable, ductile, and resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Its inertness and low reactivity make it ideal for use in connectors and contacts.
The amount of gold in electrical items can vary depending on the specific model and design. For example, CPUs can contain up to 0.2-0.5 grams of gold. Mobile phones and computers typically contain lower amounts of gold, and the extraction process may not be cost-effective unless a large quantity of devices is processed together.
It is important to recycle electrical items containing gold responsibly. Look for certified e-waste recyclers in your area, such as specialised companies that adhere to applicable laws and regulations for gold recovery. Some retailers, like Staples or Best Buy, may also offer electronics recycling services.
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