Mineral elements provide the color in fireworks. Gold sparks are produced by iron filings and small pieces of charcoal. Bright flashes and loud bangs come from aluminum powder. 11 lb. of lead 11 lb. Gold us used in microelectronic circuitry in escape mechanisms, parachutes, and air-survival radios.
Gold helps save lives on the nation's roads.
More than 30 million automobiles are equipped with air bag systems that have gold-coated electrical contacts to ensure that the system will work flawlessly for the life of the car. Hospitals and office buildings are monitored by gold-coated infrared sensors to detect unhealthy buildup of carbon monoxide and other indoor pollutants. In the space program, gold's ability to reflect infrared radiation helps shield astronauts, sensitive electronic equipment, circuitry, and protect the tether that secures astronauts on spacewalks. The fineness of jewelry gold is stated as the number of parts in twenty-four that are gold. Galvanizing is the process of dipping steel in molten zinc to prevent rusting.