Au
Gold is a precious metal prized for its beauty, rarity, and resistance to corrosion.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 196.97 u |
| Density | 19.282 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1337.33 K |
| Boiling Point | 3129.0 K |
| Appearance | Metallic yellow |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 2.54 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 890.1 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 222.8 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +1, +2, +3, +5 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1 |
| Atomic Radius | 144.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 136.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 166.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Known since antiquity |
| Location | Various (Middle East) |
| Named After | Anglo-Saxon 'geolo' meaning yellow; symbol Au from Latin 'aurum' |
About Gold
Gold is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. It is one of the least reactive elements. A single ounce can be beaten into a 300 square foot sheet. It has symbolized wealth throughout human history.
Uses & Applications
Jewelry, currency, electronics, dental work, aerospace shielding, and medical treatments.
Fun Fact
A single ounce of gold can be beaten into a 300 square foot sheet or drawn into a 50-mile wire -- the most malleable of all metals.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 197 | 1.0% | - | Yes |
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1