Gold (chemical symbol Au, atomic number 79) is a dense, soft, and highly malleable transition metal, ranking as one of the least reactive elements—second only to platinum. It occurs naturally in its native state as nuggets or grains, often alloyed with silver as electrum, and is famously resistant to most acids, though it dissolves in aqua regia and is identified using the classic "acid test" with nitric acid. Historically, gold has been a cornerstone of coinage and monetary policy, with the global gold standard being abandoned after the Nixon shock of 1971. In 2023, China was the world's largest producer, and as of 2020, roughly 201,296 tonnes existed above ground—enough to form a cube with 21.7-meter sides. Today, about 50% of new gold goes into jewelry, 40% into investments, and 10% into industry, where its excellent conductivity makes it vital for electrical connectors, alongside uses in glass, gold leaf, and the arthritis drug Auranofin. Its extraordinary malleability allows a single gram to be beaten into a one-square-meter sheet, and its name derives from the Latin aurum, meaning "glow" or "shining dawn."