79196.97AuGold
Gold (Au) — element 79transition metal · group 11, period 6
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and atomic number 79. It is a transition metal in group 11, period 6 of the periodic table (the d-block), with a standard atomic mass of 196.97 u. At room temperature (25 °C) gold is a solid.
💡 Known for: Prized since antiquity for jewellery and coins; it never tarnishes and is used in electronics.
# Gold properties
| Symbol | Au |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 79 |
| Atomic mass | 196.97 u |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 11 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹ |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹ |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 |
| Protons / electrons | 79 / 79 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1337.33 K (1064.2 °C, 1947.5 °F) |
| Boiling point | 3129 K (2855.8 °C, 5172.5 °F) |
| Density | 19.28 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.54 |
| First ionization energy | 9.226 eV |
| Atomic radius | 174 pm |
| Discovered | known since ancient times |
# Electron configuration of gold
The electron configuration of gold is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹, written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹. Its 79 electrons fill 6 shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1, so the outermost shell holds 1 electron.
# Related elements
PtPlatinumprevious elementHgMercurynext elementCuCoppergroup 11AgSilvergroup 11RgRoentgeniumgroup 11ScScandiumtransition metalTiTitaniumtransition metalVVanadiumtransition metalCrChromiumtransition metalMnManganesetransition metalFeIrontransition metalCoCobalttransition metalNiNickeltransition metal
# Gold FAQ
What is the atomic number of gold?
The atomic number of gold is 79: every gold atom has 79 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Au.
What is the atomic mass of gold?
The standard atomic mass of gold is 196.97 u.
What is the electron configuration of gold?
Gold's electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹ (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹), with 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 electrons per shell.
Is gold a metal?
Yes. Gold is a transition metal, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of gold?
Gold melts at 1337.33 K (1064.2 °C, 1947.5 °F) and boils at 3129 K (2855.8 °C, 5172.5 °F).
What is gold used for / known for?
Prized since antiquity for jewellery and coins; it never tarnishes and is used in electronics.