Floating Gold Question

[Bodfish Mike]

Ok I know gold floats and about surface tension -- jet dry ect.
But it seems like gold sometimes floats first before the black sand and other heavies anybody else see this and if so have you got a clue as to why.
Thanks Mike

 

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[Goldfleks]

In my observation, and it's very limited lol so take it with a grain of salt. But gold tend to be flat in many cases, even when it's small. And when you are panning, it's at the bottom of your pan, but when you swirl the pan at the end to un cover it, it's at the top of the pan. I've noticed that the gold in my pan will float when it's not covered with water but as I swirl it around, the water will pick it up with the surface tension and float it.

But ymmv, I'm def not an expert, just my observation

 

[PurpleGold]

Gold is very malleable so it gets flattened which increases its surface area. The little flat flakes become little boats.

 

[OwenT]

Yep, what PurpleGold said. It's the flatness I think. Black sands and stuff usually are more round so their weight isn't as distributed across the surface of the water as evenly so they can break through the surface tension.

 

[KevinInColorado]

It's because of the physics of the gold atom. It is hydrophobic (just like diamond btw) which means it sheds water easily and so it dries in an instant if given a chance. Why? The orientation of the atoms repels water due to the electric charge of the electrons in the outer "shell" and the arrangement of atoms in the metallic structure. Whew!

 

[Goldwasher]

cause gold is where you find it

 

[russau]

Warm and hot water also help disapate the surface tension while panning !

 

[goldhog]

What's really cool is the Cheerio effect................ huh?
If you go to about the 7 min mark in this video I show it.



Doc

 

[Hoser John]

Dirty/oily gold will always float. Clean the carpets in your recovery units and all tubs pans and such associated with your op. Even the smallest amount of gas/oil covers everything, amazing how a little goes so bloody far and is hard to remove . Dirty water(mud/silt/misc) in your operating water raises your specific gravity considerably also and add ANY aireation of the water and gold catches it and adios your hard work. Lots of luck-John

 

[HMiller]

Warm and hot water also help disapate the surface tension while panning !

Always wondered about that. Never experimented though.

 

[Bodfish Mike]

Thanks Kevin I think that was the answer I was looking for -- do I understand what you said no but I like it.
And thanks to the others about flat pieces that makes sense but this was happening with little chunky ones also.
And thanks to John about the oil tip and I think human sweat will have the same affect - and I do plenty of that.
Thanks

 

[Capt Nemo]

Warm water holds less dissolved gas than cold water. Same with making ice. If you want clear ice, you start with warm water.

Dissolved gas can be a problem in city water. In the pipes, the gas is held under pressure keeping it dissolved. Once out of the tap the pressure is off, and the gas begins to come out of solution. This gas can make the hot water cloudy as it comes out of the tap. Cold water will come out clear and then become cloudy as the water begins to warm.

Here's a pic of microbubbles in hot water.



I have seen these bubbles get gold neutrally buoyant and make it dance like a mica flake over the black sand. Jet dry WILL NOT work to prevent microbubbles from forming on the gold. When this happens, take an eyedropper and suck the piece up, and lay it back down in a clean spot in the pan. It should stay put.

The eyedropper first pressurizes the bubbles and shrinks them, then the current through the orafice washes the bubbles off the gold.

Give tap water time to offgas, and warm to room temprature before using for panning.