why gold is a soft metal

Gold is considered a soft metal for a few reasons:

1. Low Hardness: On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, gold scores around 2.5 to 3, which is significantly softer than many metals. This means it can be easily scratched or dented.

2. Covalent Bonding: Gold atoms are bonded together by metallic bonds, which are strong but allow for some flexibility and malleability. The atoms in gold are arranged in a face-centered cubic lattice, which contributes to its softness.

3. Ductility: Despite its softness, gold is incredibly ductile. It can be stretched into very thin wires or hammered into extremely thin sheets without breaking, a property that is highly valued in jewelry making and certain industrial applications.

4. Lack of Strength: The softness of gold is also due to its lack of strength compared to harder metals. It doesn't have the same resistance to deformation under stress.

5. Crystal Structure: The arrangement of gold's atoms in a crystal lattice allows the layers to slide over each other, which is why it's soft and malleable.

Because of these characteristics, gold is often alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability for certain uses, although this reduces its purity and the characteristic softness associated with high-purity (24-karat) gold.