Gold and relativity

[HydrogenBond]

Here is an interesting physics affect. It has to do why gold is yellow in color. Most metals are silvery color because the delocalized electrons in the metal absorb and emit a wide range of frequencies. Gold is unique in that although it does essentially the same thing, its delocalized electrons also experience relativity causing a shift in color.

 

Relativity in Chemistry

[Moontanman]

Here is an interesting physics affect. It has to do why gold is yellow in color. Most metals are silvery color because the delocalized electrons in the metal absorb and emit a wide range of frequencies. Gold is unique in that although it does essentially the same thing, its delocalized electrons also experience relativity causing a shift in color.

 

Relativity in Chemistry

 

Is that the reason copper has it's ruddy color?

[Boerseun]

A few metals, such as copper and gold, have a reflectance spectrum where the red end (400--700nm) dominates.

...and then follows a very interesting explanation.

 

So I guess the answer to Moontanman's

Is that the reason copper has it's ruddy color?

appears to be:

 

Yes.

 

Yes, indeed...