Element 79 · Transition metal
Gold (Au) — Element 79
Anglo-Saxon gold
Gold (Au) is a transition metal in Period 6, Group 11 of the periodic table with atomic number 79, standard atomic weight 196.97 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹. At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 11 valence electrons and common oxidation states +1, +3.
Jewelry, electronics, currency
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Gold?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 79
- Standard atomic mass
- 196.97 u
- Chemical family
- Transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1
- Valence electrons
- 11
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +1, +3
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 2.54 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 890 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 174 pm
- Melting point
- 1,064 °C
- Boiling point
- 2,856 °C
- Discovery year
- Ancient
- Table coordinate
- Period 6, Group 11
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Gold’s shells?
A neutral Gold atom contains 79 electrons distributed across 6 occupied principal energy shells ([Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹). The table below compares Gold’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Au | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 32 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 18 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
| n = 6 | P | 1 e⁻ | 72 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Gold (Au)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Gold (Au)?
Gold (Au) has atomic number Z = 79 (79 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 196.97 u. It sits in Period 6, Group 11 and is classified as a transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Gold?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Gold (Z = 79) is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹. Across its 6 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 6), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1, with 11 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Gold?
Gold commonly forms +1, +3 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 2.54 and its first ionization energy is 890 kJ/mol.
When was Gold discovered and what is it used for?
Gold was discovered in Ancient (Anglo-Saxon gold). Jewelry, electronics, currency
How does Gold compare to neighboring elements?
Other transition metal elements: