Gold (Au): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Gold (Au) is element 79 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 6, group 11. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1, and its standard atomic weight is 196.97 u.
💡 So unreactive that ancient gold jewellery still shines.
▶ Watch Gold’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableGold at a glance
| Symbol | Au |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 79 |
| Atomic mass | 196.97 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 11 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s1 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.54 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Gold on the periodic table?
Gold is in period 6, group 11, in the d-block. The period number matches its 6 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Silver sits directly above it and Roentgenium sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Gold
Put 79 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48), 5p⁶ (54), 6s² (56), 4f¹⁴ (70), 5d⁹ (79). Gold is one of the exceptions to this filling order: experiments show its ground state is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s¹ 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ rather than 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d⁹, because the neighbouring subshells are so close in energy and a half-filled or completely filled d subshell is extra stable. In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹.
How electronegative is Gold?
Gold has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.54, ranking 12 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is high: it pulls shared electrons strongly towards itself in a bond.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Gold?
The electron configuration of Gold (Au) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s1. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1.
How many electrons does Gold have in each shell?
Gold has 79 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1.
What is the atomic mass of Gold?
The standard atomic weight of Gold is 196.97 u, so one mole of Gold atoms has a mass of about 196.97 g.
Is Gold a metal?
Yes. Gold is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Tungsten, Rhenium, Osmium, Iridium, Platinum, Mercury. See all elements on the periodic table.