Gold (Au) - Element 79 | Properties & Electron Configuration
What is Gold?
Gold (Au) is element 79, a transition metal in period 6, group 11. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹.
| Atomic Number | 79 |
| Symbol | Au |
| Atomic Mass | 196.97 u |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | 11 |
| Block | d |
| Electron Configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹ |
| Short Config | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹ |
| Electronegativity | 2.54 |
| Atomic Radius | 135 pm |
| Ionization Energy | 890 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 223 kJ/mol |
| Phase (STP) | Solid |
Electron Configuration
The full electron configuration of Gold is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹. In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹.
Gold is a d-block element in group 11, period 6.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity: Gold has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.54. Within group 11, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.
Atomic Radius: 135 pm. Across period 6, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.
Ionization Energy: 890 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.
View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Explore Gold on the Interactive Periodic TableRelated Topics
Copper (Cu)
Properties of Copper - same group as Gold
Silver (Ag)
Properties of Silver - same group as Gold
Roentgenium (Rg)
Properties of Roentgenium - same group as Gold
Cesium (Cs)
Properties of Cesium - same period as Gold
Barium (Ba)
Properties of Barium - same period as Gold
Lanthanum (La)
Properties of Lanthanum - same period as Gold