Gold crystallizes with a 

Options

A. a) fcc
B. b) bcc
C. c) simple cubic
D. d) orthorhombic

Answer

To solve the question regarding the crystallization structure of gold, we will analyze the options provided and determine the correct answer step by step.

### Step 1: Understand the question
The question asks about the crystallization structure of gold. The options given are:
- A) FCC (Face-Centered Cubic)
- B) BCC (Body-Centered Cubic)
- C) Simple Cubic
- D) Orthorhombic

### Step 2: Identify the properties of gold
Gold (Au) is a metal known for its high density and malleability. It is important to consider the common crystal structures that metals can adopt.

### Step 3: Analyze the crystal structures
1. **FCC (Face-Centered Cubic)**: In this structure, atoms are located at each corner of the cube and at the center of each face. This structure is known for its high packing efficiency and is common among metals.

2. **BCC (Body-Centered Cubic)**: In this structure, there is one atom at each corner of the cube and one atom in the center of the cube. This structure has a lower packing efficiency compared to FCC.

3. **Simple Cubic**: In this structure, atoms are only located at the corners of the cube. This structure is rare for metals due to its low packing efficiency.

4. **Orthorhombic**: This structure has different lengths for all three axes and is not common for metals like gold.

### Step 4: Determine the most likely structure for gold
Given that gold is a heavy metal with a high atomic number, it tends to adopt a more efficient packing structure. Among the options, FCC is known for its close packing and is the structure adopted by many metals, including gold.

### Step 5: Conclude the answer
Based on the analysis, gold crystallizes in the FCC structure. Therefore, the correct answer is:
**Option A: FCC**

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