Fact Check: "Gold and platinum are considered precious metals."
What We Know
Gold and platinum are widely recognized as precious metals, which are defined as rare, naturally occurring metallic elements of high economic value. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), precious metals include gold, silver, and the platinum group metals, which encompass platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and osmium. These metals are characterized by their superior resistance to corrosion and oxidation, making them valuable for both industrial applications and investment purposes.
Additionally, Wikipedia states that precious metals are more corrosion-resistant and less chemically reactive than most elements, which contributes to their desirability. Historically, these metals have been used as currency and are now primarily regarded as investment vehicles and industrial raw materials.
Analysis
The claim that gold and platinum are considered precious metals is supported by multiple credible sources. The DOE explicitly lists gold and platinum among the precious metals, confirming their classification as such. Furthermore, the Investopedia definition reinforces this classification, stating that precious metals are rare metals with high economic value, specifically mentioning gold, silver, and platinum.
The reliability of these sources is high. The DOE is a governmental body that provides authoritative definitions and classifications, while Investopedia is a well-regarded financial education platform known for its accurate and comprehensive explanations of financial concepts. Wikipedia, while generally reliable, can be edited by anyone, so it is best used in conjunction with other authoritative sources.
In contrast, sources that do not pertain to the topic, such as those related to obituaries, do not contribute to the verification of the claim and should be disregarded in this context.
Conclusion
The verdict for the claim that "gold and platinum are considered precious metals" is True. This conclusion is based on the consistent definitions provided by authoritative sources, including the DOE and Investopedia, which classify both gold and platinum as precious metals due to their rarity, economic value, and unique properties.
