---
title: "Gold (Au): Atomic Mass, Electron Configuration & Properties"
url: https://www.moldraw.com/elements/gold.html
description: "Gold (Au), element 79: atomic mass 196.97, electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹, group 11, period 6, d-block transition metal. Melting and boiling point, density, electronegativity and shells."
lang: en
publisher: Scidart Academy
generated: 2026-11-03
---
79Au196.97

# Gold (Au) – element 79

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol **Au** and atomic number **79**. It is a transition metal in group 11, period 6 of the periodic table (d-block), and is a solid at room temperature.

Gold (Au) has atomic number 79, atomic mass 196.97 u and electron configuration [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1.

[Download periodic table PDF](https://www.moldraw.com/printables/periodic-table.pdf)[Open interactive periodic table](https://www.moldraw.com/tools/free-chem-tools/interactive-periodic-table.html)

## Gold facts

| Symbol | Au |
| --- | --- |
| Atomic number | 79 |
| Atomic mass | 196.97 u (g/mol) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | group 11 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Phase at 20 °C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d10 |
| Noble-gas notation | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 |

## Bohr model and shells

Gold has 79 electrons in 6 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1. Full configuration and noble-gas notation are in the table; work out any element or ion with the [electron configuration calculator](https://www.moldraw.com/tools/free-chem-tools/electron-configuration-calculator.html).

## Physical and atomic properties

| Melting point | 1337.33 K (1064.2 °C) |
| --- | --- |
| Boiling point | 3243 K (2969.8 °C) |
| Density | 19.3 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.54 |
| Electron affinity | 222.747 kJ/mol |
| Ionization energies | 890.1, 1980 kJ/mol (1st, 2nd) |
| Molar heat capacity | 25.418 J/(mol·K) |
| Discovered by | Middle East |

Use the atomic mass in the [molar mass calculator](https://www.moldraw.com/tools/free-chem-tools/molar-mass-calculator.html) for any formula containing Au.

## Position in the periodic table

Tap any element to open its page.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the atomic mass of gold?

The atomic mass of gold is 196.97 u, so one mole of gold atoms weighs 196.97 g.

### What is the electron configuration of gold?

Gold has 79 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s¹ 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰, or [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹ in noble-gas notation. Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1.

### Is gold a metal?

Yes. Gold is a transition metal.

### Where is gold on the periodic table?

Gold is in group 11, period 6, in the d-block.

Data: [Periodic-Table-JSON](https://github.com/Bowserinator/Periodic-Table-JSON) (CC BY-SA 3.0); standard atomic weights from IUPAC (abridged). Values in brackets are the mass number of the longest-lived isotope.