79 Au 196.967

Gold

transition metal

Properties

Atomic number
79
Atomic mass
196.967 u
Category
transition metal
Group
11
Period
6
Block
d-block
State (room temp)
Solid
Outer-shell electrons
1
Electronegativity
2.54 (Pauling)
Density
19.3 g/cm³
Melting point
1064.18 °C
Boiling point
2969.85 °C

Electron configuration

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s¹ 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰

Noble-gas shorthand: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹

Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1, which is 1 in the outermost shell.

Related: electron configuration, the Bohr model, valence electrons.

Au
Bohr model; outer-shell electrons in blue

About Gold

Gold is a chemical element with symbol Au (from Latin:aurum) and atomic number 79. In its purest form, it is a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element.

Gold: frequently asked questions

What is Gold?
Gold (Au) is the chemical element with atomic number 79. It is a metal: specifically a transition metal.
What is the atomic number of Gold?
Gold's atomic number is 79, which means every Gold atom has 79 protons in its nucleus.
What is the electron configuration of Gold?
The electron configuration of Gold is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d10 (noble-gas shorthand: [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1). Its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1, with 1 in the outermost shell.
Is Gold a metal or a nonmetal?
Gold is a metal: specifically a transition metal.
What group and period is Gold in?
Gold is in group 11 and period 6 of the periodic table.
Is Gold a solid, liquid, or gas?
At room temperature, Gold is a solid.

Position in the periodic table

Open the interactive periodic table →

Data compiled from Wikipedia, PubChem, and IUPAC. Source.