Gold (Au): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Gold (Au): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d10 · group 11 · period 6 · Ar 196.97
Gold data
- Atomic number
- 79
- Relative atomic mass
- 196.97
- Group
- 11
- Period
- 6
- Block
- d
- Category
- Transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d10
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d10
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 11
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2.54
- First ionisation energy
- 9.226 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 166 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1064 °C
- Boiling point
- 2856 °C
- Density
- 19.282 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +3, +1
- Discovered
- ancient times
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 32 · O 18 · P 1
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About gold
With atomic number 79, gold (Au) has 79 protons in its nucleus and 79 electrons as a neutral atom. It is a transition metal in group 11, period 6, d-block. Gold has been known and used since ancient times. The symbol Au comes from the Latin aurum. Gold is a solid at room temperature, melting at 1064 °C and boiling at 2856 °C.
Gold electron configuration
The electron configuration of gold is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d10, or in short [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d10. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32, O = 18, P = 1. For transition metals, valence electrons are counted from the 6s and 5d subshells: 1 + 10 = 11, matching group 11. This is an exception to the Aufbau rule: the usual filling order predicts [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d9, but a full 5d subshell is more stable, so an electron moves from the s subshell into 5d. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Au+ = [Xe] 4f14 5d10; Au3+ = [Xe] 4f14 5d8.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s1(55) → 4f14(69) → 5d10(79)
Uses of gold
In industry and the laboratory, gold turns up in many places, for example jewellery and investment, electronic contacts, and gold nanoparticles for sensors and rapid diagnostic tests. For research and analysis you can browse gold compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Gold is inert and non-toxic; some gold salts are irritants. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 11
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of gold?
The electron configuration of gold (Au, atomic number 79) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d10, or [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d10 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1.
How many valence electrons does gold have?
Gold has 11 valence electrons.
Which group and period is gold in?
Gold is in group 11, period 6, d-block.
What is the atomic mass of gold?
The relative atomic mass of gold is 196.97. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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