Gold (Au)
Gold is element 79, a transition metal in period 6, group 11 of the periodic table. At room temperature it is a solid.
Electron configuration [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1
Gold data
| Atomic number | 79 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Au |
| Atomic mass | 196.967 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 11 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1337 K (1063.9 °C) |
| Boiling point | 3129 K (2855.9 °C) |
| Density | 19.3 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.54 |
| Atomic radius | 144 pm |
| 1st ionization energy | 890 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | -223 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation states | -1, +1, +2, +3, +5 |
| Common ion charge | +, 3+ |
| Discovered | Known since antiquity |
Orbital diagram
Each box is one orbital holding up to two electrons of opposite spin. Following Hund’s rule, electrons spread out singly across a subshell before pairing.
Work through gold’s configuration and its ions →
Where gold sits
Gold belongs to the transition metals. Its Pauling electronegativity of 2.54 is mid-range; see the electronegativity chart and periodic trends for context. To use its mass in a calculation, try the molar mass calculator.
Gold FAQ
What is the electron configuration of gold?
Gold (Z = 79) has the configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f14 5d10 6s1. In noble-gas shorthand that is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1. This is an exception to the simple Aufbau prediction (1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d9 6s2); a half-filled or filled subshell lowers the energy.
How many valence electrons does gold have?
11 (1 outer s + 10 d electrons; 1 in the outermost shell).
What is the atomic mass of gold?
The standard atomic weight of gold is 196.967 u, so one mole weighs 196.967 g.
Is gold a metal?
Yes. Gold is a transition metal.
What is the charge of a gold ion?
Gold most commonly forms Au+ or Au3+.