[YouBun2]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if I could pick your brains. I am doing an A-level Physics presentation on the material properties of gold and its uses in electronic circuitry. I was wondering if anybody knew of any specific reason why gold is used on motherboards and in electronic circuitry instead of the similarly conductive but much cheaper copper.

Why is gold used as a contact in electronic circuitry - e.g. computer motherboards?
I understand that it has a low electrical resistance - but so does copper?
Why isn't copper used instead - after all, it'd be much cheaper.

Plus, the fact that copper is used in electronic wires suggests that it could be used on motherboards too.

I would be really grateful if you could point me in the direction of any sources of help.

Thanks a lot!

Oliver

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Oliver,

Suggest you search for:
"copper vs gold in electronics"
or
"copper vs gold" +electoronics
or
"copper vs gold" +electronics +review

-- Tom

[Stoner]

Originally Posted by YouBun2

..................

Why is gold used as a contact in electronic circuitry - e.g. computer motherboards?
I understand that it has a low electrical resistance - but so does copper?
Why isn't copper used instead - after all, it'd be much cheaper.
........................

It's an issue of corrosion.
Gold contacts maintain a better connection, longer.

Like Tom posted.....a search will bring up the reasons why.

[Soundy]

If memory serves, gold is actually a WORSE conductor than copper (not a lot worse, it's not a BAD conductor, but copper is still better).

As others have noted, it's mostly corrosion - gold simply doesn't corrode, oxidize, or otherwise degrade in ways that would affect the quality of the connection. Most other conductive metals do, at varying rates.

[Blackmirror]

Google is your friend