The specific gravity of gold is the ratio of the density of gold to the density of water. This value is important when gold panning because it determines how gold will behave in water.

Gold has a specific gravity of 19.3, which means that it is 19.3 times denser than water. This high density is one of the key properties of gold that makes it valuable. Gold is one of the heaviest naturally occurring elements, and its high density allows it to sink to the bottom of a stream or river when it is mixed with water.

The specific gravity of gold is important when gold panning because it determines how gold will behave in water. Gold panning is a method of separating gold from other materials, such as sand or gravel, using water. The specific gravity of gold allows gold panning to be an effective method of separating gold from other materials, because gold will sink to the bottom of a pan or sluice box when it is mixed with water.

Gold panning works because gold is denser than most of the other materials that are found in stream or riverbeds. When water is used to wash over these materials, the lighter materials will be carried away by the water, while the heavier materials, such as gold, will sink to the bottom. The specific gravity of gold is the key property that makes this possible.

The specific gravity of gold is also important because it allows gold to be separated from other materials using other methods, such as sluicing or dredging. Sluicing is a method of separating gold from other materials using a sluice box, which is a long, narrow box with a series of riffles or ridges on the bottom. The specific gravity of gold allows gold to sink to the bottom of the sluice box and be caught by the riffles, while the lighter materials are carried away by the water.

Dredging is another method of separating gold from other materials using water. This method involves using a dredge, which is a large machine that sucks up water and materials from the bottom of a river or stream, and then separates the materials using a system of screens and sluices. The specific gravity of gold allows gold to be separated from other materials using this method, because gold will sink to the bottom of the dredge and be caught by the screens and sluices, while the lighter materials are carried away by the water.

Overall, the specific gravity of gold is an important property that determines how gold will behave in water. This property is crucial for gold panning, as it allows gold to be separated from other materials using water. The specific gravity of gold also allows other methods, such as sluicing and dredging, to be effective at separating gold from other materials. Be sure to read How to Get Started for more information.